Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Thu 11 Nov 2002Off-licences sanctioned for O'Connell StreetA judge yesterday gave the go-ahead for the first fully-fledged off-licences in Dublin's O'Connell Street despite opposition from the city council, the Garda and business interests.Judge Peter A. Smithwick granted publican Mr Seamus Griffin, owner of two Centra Stores on the city's main thoroughfare, a licence to convert part of his shops from wine sales only to one with the full range of beers and spirits.