Anyone propping up a bar stool on Good Friday might raise a glass to Limerick judge Tom O’Donnell. As pubs and restaurants open around the country, the historic scrapping of the Good Friday alcohol ban follows his ruling eight years ago that bars could serve Leinster and Munster fans gathering for a match at the city’s Thomond Park. After careful consideration, the District Court judge deemed the match appropriate for a “special event” designation, exempt from normal licensing laws. Friday marks the removal of the second leg of a 1927 law that prohibited alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Good Friday and St Patrick’s Day, the latter being abolished in the early 1960s. Only Christmas Day remains, and Mr Foley said there was “zero interest” to see an end to that.

Source: The Irish Times March 29, 2018 19:41 UTC