Posted by Gardaí seize beer kegs, spirits and bar equipment after search of ‘suspected Shebeen’ in Kildare
GARDAÍ IN KILDARE have seized a significant amount of alcohol and bar equipment during a search of a premises suspected of being in breach of Covid-19 regulations. 
As part of Operation Navigation, Gardaí commenced an operation yesterday in Athy and became aware “through social media” that a premises was operating contrary to the Liquor Licensing Regulations and that members of the public were congregating there in contravention of the Health Act 1947.
Gardaí conducted a search at 8pm under warrant of the “suspected Shebeen” premises and found a fully operational bar in a repurposed state.
The premises was fitted with a bar, stools, tables, chairs, 70-inch flat screen television, and a full-size pool table, Gardaí said.
There were several beer taps on the bar, along with an under bar cooler and kegs. There was also a smoking area, store room and toilet on the premises.
During the course of this search, Gardaí seized five kegs of beer, a significant amount of spirits and bottled beers, and various bar equipment including taps, gas and coolers, Gardaí said in statement.
“A full investigation is now underway into this matter and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the statement continued.
“An Garda Síochána would appeal to anyone with information about the operation of illegal Shebeens to contact their local Garda Station.
“The Covid-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations in order to continue to save lives.”
BROTHEL CASE
Gardai found man tied to crucifix having naked bum whipped at BDSM party during brothel raid, court told
- 10 Jul 2020, 18:39
- Updated: 10 Jul 2020, 18:40
GARDAI found a man tied to a large crucifix having his naked bum whipped during a raid on a brothel last year.
The details of the raid during a BDSM party came before the Circuit Civil Court today over allegations a businesswoman permitted a basement she rented to be used as a lap-dancing bar, strip club, brothel and sadomasochistic club.
Hilda Conway, of Claremont Road, Sandymount, Dublin, was not represented in court today when her bid to join a court proceeding against her was struck out by County Registrar Rita Considine.
Landlord Liam Grant wants the Circuit Civil Court to grant an order directing that Conway forfeit her tenancy of 127 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, on grounds she breached legal undertakings and agreements.
Conway had asked the County Registrar to join Brendan McQuaid and Baggot Street Bars, both of Terenure Place, Terenure, Dublin, as third parties on her contention they had been responsible for alleged breaches of covenant because of the way they had operated the licensed night club.
ALLEGATIONS
Barrister Martin Canny, for Mr Grant, told Ms Considine that Conway and her legal representatives had not attended court to make her application and he succeeded in having it struck out.
Grant, of Greenmount House, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, referred in a sworn affidavit to “breaches of the utmost seriousness” against Conway and alleged that sex had been available to purchase at the club.
Grant stated that Conway and her brother, Frank Conway, had been aware since 2017 that the business had been operating as a lap-dancing strip club.
LAP DANCING
Frank Conway had twice allowed him access to the premises in 2018 and, on one occasion, a room, previously a kitchen, was being used as a dimly lit, private room for lap dancing.
Curtains surrounded tables presumably to provide privacy for lap dancing and stripping. He claimed Conway had no authority to transfer or create a lease with any third party.
‘BLASPHEMY EVENT’
He had become aware that the premises was being used to host immoral sadomasochism parties for reward and that it had been raided by gardai in October 2019 on what was described as a “Blasphemy Event,” Grant said.
Grant said he had been advised that, on entering the premises, a Garda Inspector Martin Mooney noticed a man tied to a large crucifix was having his naked bum whipped and customers had been oddly dressed with few or no clothes and some had been wearing masks and carrying whips. Sexual activity, he had been advised, had been taking place in the back room.
Who Watches the Watchers? 