Athlone nightclub owner prosecuted

The operator of the Q Nite Club in Athlone’s Dublingate Street, one of the Midlands’ leading nightclubs, was found guilty of employing an unlicensed door supervisor recently.

Judge Seamus Hughes convicted Thomas Conlon Limited on eight counts of breaching the Private Security Services Act 2004. Fines and costs totalling €2,750 were imposed on the company.

The prosecutions were taken by the Private Security Authority following a visit to the nightclub by the Authority’s inspectors in October 2010 who found an unlicensed doorman working at the club. The nightclub had been visited previously by the inspectors in November 2008 when unlicensed doormen were also identified.

At that time the club was made aware of the requirement to engage licensed individuals.  

The Authority’s Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin commented,  "This is a significant judgement for the Authority and represents our first prosecution against a nightclub. Following on from today’s success we will continue to target further clubs and other venues with a view to prosecuting those employing unlicensed staff”.

The Authority’s inspectors were again in Athlone more recently where they carried out joint inspections with the Revenue Commissioners.

Breaches of security licensing regulations were again found and the Authority is now preparing further prosecutions on foot of this visit.

All doormen must be licensed by the PSA and must wear an ID badge when on duty.