Life in Donegal

Frankly, one would be disappointed if this sort of caper weren’t being run in Donegal:

A 72-year-old Donegal man who denied running an illegal public bar in his shed, has been acquitted of two charges brought against him by the County Council under planning regulations. Patsy Brogan said the bar, which has become known as The Bog Hotel near Frosses, is for private use, and while he welcomes callers, he insists he does not charge for drink. At Donegal District Court today Judge Kevin Kilraine said there was no evidence anybody was being charged money at the bar. He said the shed had been converted to look like a bar and lounge and added ‘he just might like the idea of looking at it as a bar and lounge, many people have bars with bar stools in the basements of their homes.’ Donegal County Council had brought the case against Mr Brogan under the planning regulations on the grounds of ‘change of use’.