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Revellers at a nightclub in Dublin Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Sharp fall in nightclubs seeking late licences

The number of clubs and bars applying for opening-hours exemptions has dropped significantly since 2008.

THE NUMBER OF nightclubs and bars seeking late-opening licences has dropped significantly in the last four years, official figures show.

In 2008, 78,711 establishments applied for special exemption orders allowing them to open past the normal legal closing time for pubs and bars.

But by 2010, the last year for which full figures are available, that number had dropped to 64,878 – a decrease of 17.5 per cent.

The number is expected to fall further when statistics for 2011 are compiled, the Courts Service has said. No figures are currently available for 2012.

Nightclubs and bars must pay a €300 fee when applying for a special exemption order. This fee was increased from€100 in July 2008.

Club owners must also notify the gardaí at least 48 hours before applying to the courts for an exemption order. However, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said he intends to examine whether the 48-hour window is long enough.

Column: Irish pubs are a safe haven and a welcome hearth. We need them>

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16 Comments
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    Mute Dirt Lancaster
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:03 AM

    That reveller is a geek!

    112
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    Mute Charlie Marriott
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:09 AM

    More if a Hipster I’d say

    80
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    Mute David Jackson
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:41 AM

    As hughie Lewis once said ‘its hip to be square!’

    43
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    Mute Sheila Murphy
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:14 AM

    It might be a case of (some) venues running the late night events anyway and chancing their arm by not getting a proper late license for the night……………..

    57
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    Mute Seamus Balfe
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:33 PM

    Unless you know people in high places, its nearly impossible. Might get away with for a couple of weeks but the Gardai will come eventually and close the premises.

    12
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    Mute Lorcan O Rourke
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:28 AM

    It costs €410 for a late license not €300.

    53
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    Mute Peter Mc Court
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    Mar 4th 2012, 1:24 PM

    Awh come here every other capital city in europe if not the world niteclubs open till at least 5am but no not dublin its a joke dat clubs close at 3am here bloody joke

    53
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    Mute John Murphy
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    Mar 4th 2012, 2:34 PM

    Think that bad. Every single night club in Cork closes at 2.was in Dublin a few weeks ago and was able to drink and dance till 4 and was amazed and delighted.

    36
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    Mute denis byrne
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:30 AM

    Whats goin on with the guy in blue on the left?! Thats not his hand over his crotch!

    37
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    Mute Luca Costa
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:42 AM

    Good spot. That’s gas

    22
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    Mute Kevin Prendergast
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    Mar 4th 2012, 11:52 AM

    It’s about time people got their priorities right in Ireland. How about reducing tax on petrol and putting it on alcohol. But don’t you know there would be up roar.

    26
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    Mute Teresa Davis
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    Mar 6th 2012, 9:54 AM

    going out for drinks is nearly prohibitive because of the price at the moment, increasing the prices will only further destroy the bar and restaurant trade, with subsequent loss of jobs,

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    Mute Francis Howard
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:00 PM

    It used cost 210 a night but under fianna fail it went up to 410 overnight plus solicitors costs and has to be paid a month in advance every month

    19
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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Mar 4th 2012, 12:09 PM

    Coppers and Flannerys could have cleaned up last night with late licenses, Fianna Fail Ard Fhies revellers would have covered all their expenses not just the late license fee.

    19
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    Mute Shane O'Connor
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    Mar 4th 2012, 12:16 PM

    Proof then that this is a regressive tax. If the policy makers were not so short sighted they would see the bigger picture in this sector.Less tax income, less competition, less excise duty, less income tax etc etc.

    16
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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Mar 4th 2012, 9:43 PM

    A small but important point.

    The english language is being destroyed by the USA computer-language approach to words with a similar sound but different meaning.

    Licence/License is a good example. The USA-ers have chosen ‘license’ to replace both, which is incorrect.

    Licence = the noun. Eg. The publican renewed his licence

    License = the verb. Eg. The publican licensed his nightclub in the court last week

    It will be too late after we have lost it to get it back…

    14
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