[size=1][From The Phoenix, May 10, 2002, with thanks to Goldhawk.][/size]
SHELBOURNE Football Club chief, Ollie Byrne, got a rap over the knuckles from Judge Clare Leonard last week in Dublin's district court and was fined €100 for holding teenage discos without a licence in the club. To make matters worse, the discos were held in the West Stand which is an unauthorised structure and currently subject to legal proceedings from Dublin City Council.
Although Byrne denied the charges in court - claiming he did not need a licence for discos as the events were for members - Judge Leonard found the Shels' boss guilty as charged. The illegal discos joined a long litany of complaints which the locals have in relation to the soccewr club. It will be recalled (see The Phoenix 23/11/02) that Drumcondra residents vigorously opposed Shelbourne's recent planning application for a new bar at the West Stand in which they also outlined such problems as noisy late night functions and urinating football fans near their homes.
It was soon after Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála's refused permission for this new bar that the wily Byrne proceeded to organise the dance nights at the West Stand. Although he claimed they were events for members, the events were advertised to the general public on Energy FM. Adverts on the radio station's website flagged the cool disco which was called Elevation @ Tolka Park and boasted two main arenas and a vibe room with some of Dublin's best R'n'B DJs.
The teenage shenanigans finally ceased last February when the Gardaí, Dublin City Council's enforcement section as well as Independent deputy, Tony Gregory, took action.
Meanwhile, there still remains the outstanding issue of the unauthorised West Stand which is currently subject to legal proceedings by Dublin City Council's enforcement section. Planning permission for the West Stand was granted in 1997 by An Bord Pleanála, subject to 10 conditions, but more than five years later, a number of these conditions have not been adhered to.
This same stand was the subject of a €698,000 grant from the Minister for Fun, Jim McDaid, for its development. Indeed, the minister has been made fully aware of the status of the illegal structure and has promised to raise the matter with Shelbourne FC.
