By Elaine McFadden
elaine@letterkennypost.com
The Grill complex in Letterkenny was busy today re-stocking their six bars and preparing for business as usual after a tumultuous week of events and ahead of a major scheduled music concert this weekend.
Proprietor Paul Mc Glinchey was unable to comment in relation to pending court action over the seizure of all alcohol at the venue last Saturday night by the Gardaí under Section Section 24 of the 18974 Licensing Act.
However, speaking to the Letterkenny Post yesterday evening, Wednesday, he assured all customers that a regular weekend of business would ensue with the Ocean Colour Scene concert going ahead as planned.
“We are re-stocking the bars ourselves, I’m busy seeing if anyone has any drink left over from under the Christmas tree,” Mr. Mc Glinchey joked.
“We are opening again on Friday night as normal and Ocean Colour Scene will play on Sunday night. They will be on stage at approximately 9.30pm, finishing about 11pm and the normal club night will then take place, as it will on Friday and Saturday night,” he said.
The venue was closed down last Saturday night in a heavy handed move by the Gardaí as it had not had a valid liquor license since 2006 when it closed for renovations before opening again in July 2007.
The certificate for a license was granted at a sitting of the District Court on Tuesday of this week where Judge John O’Hagan refused to comment however on the fate of the alcohol that was removed to Letterkenny Garda Station, worth in excess of €150,000.
Locals were shocked and stunned by the action taken when news broke and local Town Councillor Gerry McMonagle called it a ‘step too far’ with many people on the brink of unexpectedly loosing their jobs.