Limerick pubs given court closure orders for serving alcohol to a minor

TWO PUBS in Newcastle West have been served with two day closure orders and fined for serving alcohol to minors.

On September 12, 2025, within a half hour period, three test purchasers who were underage entered Whelan’s Bar and Cronin’s Bar in Newcastle West with a plain clothes member of the gardaí.

Newcastle West District Court heard a vodka and coke was served to a minor in Whelan’s Bar and they were not asked for identification.

The court heard that there are no previous convictions for the establishment.

It was also accepted that the pub has held a licence for a long time.

Judge Valerie Corcoran heard that since the incident, staff have received further training in checking for identification.

The judge was assured that the pub are taking steps to make sure that there won’t be a repeat of this incident.

On the same night, three underage test purchasers accompanied by a plain clothes member of the gardaí, entered Cronin’s Bar.

The court heard that a minor was served alcohol without being asked for identification and that there was also a doorman on duty on the night.

The pub has had a licence for the past 50 years.

The court heard that there are previous convictions related to being open after hours and selling alcohol after hours, but no previous offences of this nature and that there has been a change in company director.

Judge Corcoran questioned how a minor got into the pub when there was a doorman on duty.

She stressed that identification needs to be checked both at the door and at the bar.

Both pubs were fined €1,000 and given six months to pay the fine.

They were also ordered by Judge Corcoran to close for two days.

The closure orders for both will commence at 11pm on Sunday, November 8.