Alcohol licence application ahead of sale of ‘landmark’ shop in Laois 

A shopkeeper who is looking to buy a ‘landmark’ store and pub in Mountmellick applied for an alcohol licence to be transferred into his name. 

Shane Cristle from Rosenallis made an application before Portlaoise District Court for the alcohol licence at Hanlon’s Pub, O’Moore Street, Mountmellick.

Mr Cristle said Hanlon’s was “a landmark in the centre of Mountmellick and has been for a number of years.”   

His solicitor explained that Hanlon’s had operated as a pub over 20 years ago but was now only trading as a shop with an off licence. He said no pub has operated at the premises lately but there were off licence sales and excise duty was being paid correctly. 

He said his client intends to purchase the premises from his uncle but when he looked into the alcohol licensing “he was told in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t entitled to trade.”

Mr Cristle told the court that the alcohol is stored behind the counter and only sold between certain hours. He said staff at the shop look for identification if someone looks under 25 they will be asked for official identification. 

He said he wants to purchase the shop from his uncle but he believes the business would not be viable if he wasn’t able to sell alcohol.

“I assumed that the licence was part of the premises itself until this year. I went to purchase the shop and I was told it was separate,” he said. 

Judge Andrew Cody said it appeared the man needed to regularise licensing at  the premises. 

The solicitor asked the court to grant the application in order to allow the man to get his licensing in order. Judge Cody granted the ad interim transfer.