Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 25306Breach of the Intoxicating Liquor Act (serving alcohol after hours) · Co. Donegal · 22 Sep 2019

Publican's after-hours alcohol case adjourned for judgment in Ballybofey

Garda Ciaran Finn entered McKelvey's Bar on Glenfin Street, Ballybofey, at 1.30am on September 22, 2019, after hearing noise and found 30 people drinking after hours, 10 in the smoking area with full drinks and 20 or more in the bar with fresh drinks. man Jim McGowan, 50, the licensee, was charged with six counts under the Intoxicating Liquor Act. He appeared before Letterkenny District Court, where Judge Éiteáin Cunningham adjourned the case for judgment in September 2022. McGowan has no previous convictions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Garda Ciaran Finn entered McKelvey's Bar after hearing noise and found 30 people drinking after hours, 10 in the smoking area with full drinks and 20 or more in the bar with fresh drinks.
Where
Glenfin Street, Ballybofey, County Donegal.
When
1.30am on September 22, 2019, half an hour after drink-up time.
Charges
Jim McGowan was charged with six counts contrary to the Intoxicating Liquor Act.
In court
McGowan appeared before Letterkenny District Court before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham, who adjourned the case for judgment until September 26, 2022.
Other details
McGowan has no previous convictions.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGarda Finn observed 10 people in the smoking area with full drinks in front of them. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatGardaí ordered the licensee to put the house in order. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGarda Ciaran Finn was on patrol at Glenfin Street, Ballybofey at 1.30am on September 22, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident was a Saturday night, Sunday morning, half-an-hour after drink-up time. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcGowan was charged with six counts contrary to the Intoxicating Liquor Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcGowan appeared before Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham adjourned the case until Monday, September 26. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcGowan has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Sep2022
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Former publican in court after 30 people found drinking after hours

    Reports the court appearance of former publican Jim McGowan charged with six counts under the Intoxicating Liquor Act; case adjourned for judgment.

    accused, Jim McGowan, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jim McGowan