Wed, 10 Sep 2008

Galway Judge says Good Friday Drink Charges 'Ludicrous'

An Irish Times Article details that one Judge Mary Fahy presiding over the Galway District Court noted the facts as proven, that a number of restaurants made wine available for sale with meals last Good Friday, but refused to record convictions.

Judge Fahy stated:

"If people want to go out for a meal on Good Friday I would have thought they could have a drink with their meal. Technically you [the Garda inspector] are correct, but I think myself it is absolutely ludicrous that people on holidays especially cannot have a glass of wine with their meal"

according to the Irish Times report.

As Ireland moves from being an almost exclusively Roman Catholic island, to being a meeting place for peoples from all races and creeds, I think the law needs to catch up - and I can only hope that Judge Mary Fahy will be given credit for her view, rather than the judicial review she could potentially face. The law is there to protect the people, and when adhering to the letter of the law ceases to have that function, it's only right and proper to act. Perhaps this will spur on a much needed review of the archaic Licensing Acts (1833 to 2000) we've been subjected to. I won't be holding my breath though...

posted at: 10:20 | path: | permanent link to this entry