Gardai object to burgess park alcohol licence for triathlone

Concerns about the consumption of alcohol in Athlone's Burgess Park were cited as the reason why the Gardai today (Wednesday) objected to a licence being granted for the sale of alcohol at a festival coinciding with this weekend's triAthlone.

Inspector Aidan Minnock said he was concerned that awarding of a licence could create policing difficulties for Gardai in and around Burgess Park.

The case was adjourned to a court sitting on Friday to allow further discussions take place between the Gardai and the event organisers.

An application on behalf of John Callanan had come before today's sitting of Athlone District Court seeking an occasional licence for the sale and consumption of alcohol at a marquee in Burgess Park during the triAthlone events on Saturday and Sunday.

Solicitor Dara Hayden, acting on behalf of Mr Callanan, said the festival would involve a marquee, live music and family entertainment. He added that insurance was in place and fire officer clearance had been granted, subject to the marquee being of a certain, fire-proof standard.

However, Garda Inspector Aidan Minnock objected to the awarding of the occasional licence.

'This has traditionally been a family event and, in my opinion, an occasional licence will bring a crowd and an element to it that hasn't been there before,' said Inspector Minnock.

'It will allow drink to be consumed in Burgess Park which is an area known to us to have difficulties in its own right.'

He said that, at present, Gardai were permitted to confiscate alcohol from people who were found to be bringing it to the park, as it was illegal, under byelaws, to drink in a public place.

However, he said there would be 'nothing to stop' people bringing their own drink to the area if a licence was in place there at the weekend.

One of the organisers of the triAthlone event, Conor Kelly, said the festival this weekend was being organised 'to try to bring people into the town and create an atmosphere.'

He said there would be approximately 1,200 participants taking part in the triAthlone races this weekend, which would be similar to last year, but that the crowds gathering to watch it had been decreasing in recent years.

A professional race had been part of the annual triAthlone event up until 2012, but this no longer took place as it was proving 'too costly', Mr Kelly said.

Judge Seamus Hughes suggested that limiting the timing of the licence to 2-8pm on Sunday, or limiting the consumption of alcohol to the marquee area, could be ways of resolving the matter.

The case was then adjourned to Friday's sitting of Athlone District Court when a final decision will be made on whether or not to grant the occasional licence.

Races in the tenth annual triAthlone will take place this Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon.