Objection lodged against bar licence at Donegal Town Summer Festival marquee

An objection has been lodged against an application for an occasional bar licence for the marquee at Donegal Town Summer Festival.

Owner of Dom’s Pier 1, Martin Cleary, lodged the appeal on the basis that the marquee could obscure his entrance and that granting of a licence would have a significant and detrimental impact on his trade for the festival weekend.

The application for the occasional licence was made by Brendan Maxwell as nominee of Fanad Head Limited, the company which owns McCafferty’s Bar on the Diamond in Donegal Town. It applies to the following times: June 28 from 6pm to 10 pm, and June 29 and 30 from 2pm to 10pm.

Solicitor James Canny acting as agent for Sweeney McHugh Solicitors, Dungloe, told Monday’s sitting of Donegal District Court that the objection had only been lodged on Monday morning.

“It was too short notice to have the company’ solicitor here, and to have a witness from Donegal Town Summer Festival to give evidence of where the marquee will actually be erected,” said Mr Canny.

The solicitor said that Mr Cleary said there were a number of potential marquee sites at the pier car park in Donegal where the marquee could be erected, and which would affect his business.

Judge Michael Connellan explained to the objector that he had no option but to adjourn the case to Sligo District Court.

“The applicant’s were not aware of your objection until this morning,” he said. 

“Because the application is for this weekend, it has to be put back to Sligo to be heard on Thursday so that the solicitor who acts for Fanad Head Limited can attend, and a witness for the festival as well. 

“It will be heard and disposed of on Thursday.”

Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that gardaí had no objection to the licence being granted. But this was subject to four conditions: that alcohol not be sold to underage festival goers, that alcohol not be consumed by underage festival goers, that no glass be used, and that alcohol would not be sold to drunk people.

Judge Conellan acknowledged the garda conditions. 

The matter was adjourned to Sligo District Court on Thursday, June 27 to be finalised ahead of the weekend festival.