Winter wonderland clears court hurdle

by Dearbhla Geraghty

The Galway Christmas Market was granted occasional licences to serve alcohol in Eyre Square on five dates during the month-long event, when the application came before Galway District Court on Tuesday.

Eyre Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland between November 19 and December 19, where there will be up to 70 stalls and wooden alpine chalets within the perimeters.

Voicing concerns over such issues as public order problems, crowd control, traffic congestion, and the sale of alcohol to minors, Judge Mary Fahy had to be assured that all parties involved in the market had addressed these matters.

Constance Cassidy, Senior Counsel for MT Mono Trading Ltd (Hotel Meyrick),said that the event would generate an estimated €10 million for the local economy, and would attract about 300,000 visitors during that period.

She said that there had been extensive consultations between Galway City Council, the Galway Business Association, and Gardai – Inspector Michael Coppinger confirmed that any concerns the State originally had had been ‘trashed out’ during this process.

The Barrister added that the fire officer had no objections either, subject to the usual management conditions.

She said that the sale and serving of intoxicating liquor would be managed by the same person who looked after it at the successful Volvo Ocean Race, Cian O’Broin, who is also General Manager of the Meyrick Hotel.

He told the court that a formula had been agreed with Gardai; that barriers would be erected all around the perimeter, with just four entry/exit points which would be monitored by licensed security staff during opening hours.

Mr O’Broin said that a marquee would operate as a German beer tent, also serving mulled wine and other hot beverages in plastic cups, and would be monitored by eight security staff. He added that other stall holders would be serving mulled wine also, and that security would not be permitting anyone to take alcohol outside the licensed area.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.