Northern Ireland

Council official responds to questions over 'Greenvale-type scenario' fears

An photo contained in council records showing some of the crowds at the Harbour Bar in Portrush
An photo contained in council records showing some of the crowds at the Harbour Bar in Portrush An photo contained in council records showing some of the crowds at the Harbour Bar in Portrush

A SENIOR council official has responded to concerns over how a planned visit to a pub about an overcrowding complaint was halted despite fears of a "Greenvale-type scenario".

Concerns had been raised of overcrowding and street drinking at the Harbour Bar in Portrush during The Open golf championship last summer.

The senior environmental health officer of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had planned a follow-up visit to the premises, but shortly beforehand was ordered by council management not to attend.

The intervention was revealed by The Irish News last month after internal emails were obtained by TUV leader Jim Allister through Freedom of Information requests.

In an email to colleagues, an official had earlier warned of the need to avoid the potential of a situation unfolding similar to the Greenvale Hotel tragedy in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

Three teenagers died in the crush tragedy outside the venue on St Patrick's night last year as hundreds of young people queued to enter a disco.

The council official wrote: "Whilst we want a successful week we don't want a Greenvale-type scenario either."

Council records show the pub later placed metal barriers outside to help control the number of customers.

SDLP councillor Angela Mulholland, chair of the council's environmental services committee, has asked for the issue to be discussed at their meeting today.

She also wrote to Aidan McPeake, the council's director of environmental services, and chief executive David Jackson, who it was claimed in emails had raised that he was receiving complaints about the department's visit to the pub.

Replying to Ms Mulholland, Mr McPeake said his officials had attended the premises with police on July 17, spoke to the venue's management and "additional measures were put in place by the management at that time".

"My officers followed-up the next day with a letter reinforcing their responsibilities in relation to crowd control and numbers within their premises," he wrote.

"Consideration was given to a further follow-up visit but as sufficient measures had been implemented I stood down my officers following consultation with my Head of Service and agreed to monitor the situation for the rest of the week of the golf. No further complaints were made.

"I hope that explains the decision-making process which resulted in a very successful event for everyone."

Mr Allister has previously questioned the council's response and why some records have either been withheld or heavily redacted.

Ms Mulholland has said the issue adds more weight to calls for a "forensic audit" of the council in the wake of budget pressures which led to a rates rise.

A spokesman for the local authority said "issues were addressed and no further action was required".