Ireland Limerick restaurateur before court over selling wine without valid licence
Stefano Coppola, a restaurateur, was prosecuted before Limerick District Court over alcohol sales at La Piccola Italia, a restaurant on O'Connell Street in Limerick city centre. Revenue inspectors detected the alleged offence on 24 February 2025, when they observed a glass of wine being sold to a customer, and the premises had no valid licence to sell alcohol for at least three-and-a-half years. The previous licence expired in September 2021, and the business has since closed and agreement has been reached to sell the premises. The defendant could not complete a licence renewal because of difficulties securing a tax clearance certificate. At the case's reported hearing on 9 September 2026, the judge indicated he will apply the Probation Act if €1,000 is paid to the Court Poor Box by early January, and a formal conviction will be recorded if it is not paid.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Stefano Coppola, a restaurateur, was prosecuted for selling alcohol without a valid licence.
- The premises did not have a valid licence to sell alcohol for at least three-and-a-half years.
- Charges
- The charge is selling alcohol without a valid licence, a single offence.
- Where
- The offence is alleged to have taken place at La Piccola Italia, O'Connell Street, Limerick city centre.
- When
- Revenue detected the alleged offence at the premises on 24 February 2025.
- Investigation
- Revenue inspectors observed a glass of wine being sold to a customer.
- Cause
- The previous licence expired in September 2021.
- Other details
- The defendant applied for a renewal but could not complete it because of difficulties securing a tax clearance certificate.
- Prosecuting solicitor Aileen Mee said the defendant took responsibility for what happened.
- The business has closed and agreement has been reached to sell the premises.
- In court
- The case was heard before Limerick District Court and reported on 9 September 2026.
- Sentence
- The judge indicated he will apply the Probation Act if €1,000 is paid to the Court Poor Box by early January.
- If the money is not paid, a formal conviction will be recorded.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe premises did not have a valid licence to sell alcohol for at least three-and-a-half years. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe restaurant is La Piccola Italia in Limerick city centre. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenRevenue detected the offence at the premises on 24 February 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe previous licence expired in September 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationRevenue inspectors observed a glass of wine being sold to a customer. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtStefano Coppola was prosecuted before Limerick District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge indicated he will apply the Probation Act if €1,000 is paid to the Court Poor Box by early January. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceIf the money is not paid, a formal conviction will be recorded. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant applied for a renewal but could not complete it because of difficulties securing a tax clearance certificate. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe prosecuting solicitor said the defendant took responsibility for what happened. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe business has closed and agreement has been reached to sell the premises. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Sep2026Limerick restaurateur in court for selling wine without a valid licence
Reports the court hearing, the single offence charged, the reason the licence lapsed, the premises closing and the judge's indicated Probation Act outcome if €1,000 is paid.
accused, Stefano Coppola, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Stefano Coppola