CASE UPDATE: Fine of €1,000 imposed on Kildare resident who ran shebeen during Covid-19 lockdown

A Kildare resident who ran a shebeen (illegal pub) during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown was fined €1,000 by a Naas District Court judge.

Eamon Cleary, with an address listed as Kilnagornan, on the Green Road near Kildare town, was convicted in his absence by Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, March 14 last.

Back in January 2023, the court was told by gardaí that the 61-year-old stood accused of running the shebeen on New Years Eve of 2020.

The offences that gardaí at the time claimed were committed by Mr Cleary would be in contravention of the Health Act, 1947 — specifically, Section 12 and 13; 31A of the Temporary Restrictions (Covid-19) Regulations Act, 2020 — in addition to Section 26 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1962.

Gardaí told Judge Desmond Zaidan that when gardaí arrived at the alleged shebeen in Mr Cleary's back garden, it was attended by four other people.

Three of the four pleaded guilty to attending the shebeen, while the fourth person was absent from the courthouse.

Garda Sergeant Brian Jacob said at the time that there was no social distancing being observed at the shebeen, no logbook to record details was being kept, and there were no sanitisation stations present.

Mr Cleary contested the allegations against him.

On the latest court date, photographs of the shebeen were shown to Judge Zaidan, who at one point jokingly said: "The best one here looks like a scene from Only Fools and Horses!"

It was also said by gardaí that there was no evidence that Mr Cleary was running the shebeen in order to make a profit.

After considering the penalty options before him, Judge Zaidan decided to convict Mr Cleary on the Health Act, 1947 charge (specifically, the Section 31A charge) and fined him €1,000, which is to be paid within three months.