A Galway nun has been granted a licence by a district court to run a public house, pending the production of certain documents. The application for the liquor licence, which was described as "original" by Judge Bernard Brennan, came before Dunmore District Court. Sister Mary David Mannion, from Milltown, Galway, made an application to the court for a transfer to her of the licence attached to Mannion's Pub at Banagher, Milltown. The premises is at present licensed to Mary Catherine Mannion.
After taking the witness stand, the nun was asked about her knowledge of the licensing laws. She told Judge Brennan she was born into the business and was familiar with the regulations governing the running of public houses.
"But you're not going to run it yourself?" queried the judge. "No," Sister Mary replied. The judge remarked that he was 21 years on the bench and never before had he come across such an application. "I must say it's an original," he said. He granted the licence subject to the production of probate. It is understood the nun has inherited the pub from a member of her family and intends putting it up for sale.