COMMERCIAL CONCERNS OVER EFFECTS OF BOMB HOAXES

Date Published: 30-Jul-2012

A local businessman has voiced his concerns following the string of bomb hoxes across commercial premises in Galway, Mayo and Offaly over the weekend.

Gabriel Craven of Hayden's hotel and the Planet nightclub in Ballinasloe was working at the hotel on Saturday night when Gardaí arrived at around 11.30 to evacuate the premises as a result of reports that a bomb was in the nightclub.

While the planet nightclub was not open to the public at the time, the adjoining hotel and bar had to be evacuated.

Three other venues were evacuated as a result of the bomb scares-the Bentley Hotel nightclub in Eyre Square, the Western Hotel Claremorris and the Tullamore Court hotel.

No suspect device was found in any of the four venues and patrons and hotel residents were able to return to the respective premises.

No arrests have yet been made and investigations are ongoing.

The businesses involved lost revenue on the night but Mr Creaven of Hayden's Hotel says such a hoax is potentially devastating to business in the long term.