In August 1909, there was a news item in the Galway Express about a licensee being prosecuted for serving alcohol to Michael Geary, of Fairhill, or a Sunday and he, in turn, was prosecuted for obtaining alcohol by pretending to be a traveller.
The article does not give his age so this may have been Michael senior, then aged around 67, or his son who would have been 32.
Licensing Case
Mr J Cunniffe of High Street, was charged by Head-Constable Killacky with having his premises opened for the sale of drink on Sunday, 1st August 1909.
Mr Daly, Solicitor, defended.
Constable Tansey swore that on the 1st of the month he entered the premises of Mr Cunniffe. The halldoor was open and he found Michael Geary inside. The publican said he had no one on the premises but lodgers and travellers. Geary was from Fairhill and on being questioned he said he came from there for drink but got none. A man named Jennings, who was in the bar, said he did not know Michael Geary was not a traveller and mentioned that it was a man named Murray who was at the door who admitted him. Murray said he thought Geary was from Ballyvaughan.
Cross-examined by Mr Daly – Are you aware that there was an excursion into Galway on this day? Yes.
And the defendant supplies luncheons to excursionists? Yes.
Jennings swore that on the 1st August there was an excursion to Galway and they were in the habit of supplying luncheons to the excursionists. He was in charge of the shop and there was a man named Murray at the hall door. Geary asked for drink and said he was from Ballyvaughan, but witness had a suspicion and refused him drink and ejected him.
Head Constable – Why didn’t you tell the constable when he entered about this man? Because he never asked me anything about him.
A lodger in the house named Hennelly told the magistrates that he was in the habit of helping his landlord an odd time. At the door Geary told Murray that he was after coming from Ballyvaughan, and Jennings when he was admitted refused to supply him, saying he doubted his word. All reasonable speed was used to eject Geary.
Cross-examined by Head Constable – Weren’t you to watch outside with Murray? Indeed I was not. Im not fond of that kind of work and I don’t do it.
Head Constable – I’m only asking you the question.
Witness – That is enough (laughter.)
Murray, who was on the door on the occasion, said Geary represented himself as coming from Ballyvaughan and accordingly he admitted him, believing he was a bone fide traveller.
Cross-examined by Head-Constable Do you know Geary? I know him now.
Do you swear in this court that you dont know Geary all your life? I do.
You never saw him before? No.
The Head-Constable said there was not sufficient precaution taken in the admittance of the man.
Mr Daly asked for a dismiss on behalf of his client.
The Head-Constable said if Geary was examined he might throw a lot of light on the matter.
Mr Daly – The case is closed now.
Sir James ODonohue I think we have heard enough about it.
Mr Daly – I don’t care who you examine. (To Geary, who was talking about something or other) If you hold your tongue you will get off all right.
Chairman – The magistrates are unanimous in dismissing the case against the publican, but the man who forced his way into the premises is fined 5s and costs.
Geary – It is the first time in my life in Court, and you should let me off with a smaller fine. I didn’t force my way into the premises.
Chairman – It is the like of you who get respectable publicans into trouble.
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