Objections will be heard at the annual licensing court, which takes place at the end of September each year. For the exact date, please check with your local district court office.
As per legislation, there are a number of grounds upon which an objection can be made. Please ensure the appropriate grounds are included in your application.
To submit an objection, you must know that exact name of the licence holder (individual or company). If you do not know this, staff at the court counter can look up this information for a fee of €35.
- What does this application do
- What are the grounds for objection
- How much does this application cost
- How to apply
- What supporting documents or "proofs" are required
- What happens when the objection is heard in court
What does this application do
This application allows you to object to the renewal of an intoxicating liquor licence. You can object to any application for a renewal in the district that you live in, or otherwise occupy or pay rates in, for example, as a business person.
Applicants can be a single objector or multiple parties objecting against the same pub licence.
What are grounds for objection
As per legislation, there are a number of grounds upon which an objection can be made. The following are grounds for objection:
- The character, misconduct or unfitness of the applicant;
- Unfitness or inconvenience of the new premises;
- Unsuitability for the needs of persons residing in the neighbourhood;
- The adequacy of the existing number of licensed premises of the same character in the neighbourhood.
How much does this application cost
There is a fee of €35 per application.
How to apply
1. Complete your application
Complete Form 80.1 manually.
2. Serve the notice parties
Notify or serve the relevant notice parties for the application. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information.
For this application, the notice parties are:
- The notice must be served on the licence holder (publican) at least twenty one days prior to the annual licensing court.
3. Submit your application
Submit the application. The application must be lodged at least seven days prior to the annual licensing court. The court office staff will notify An Garda Síochána and Revenue on submission of the application. Revenue will not renew the publican's licence until the objection is heard by the judge and an outcome is reached.
4. Provide proofs to the court office
Provide the required supporting documentation or "proofs" to the court office. This must be done manually, there is currently no possibility to upload the proofs listed below via CSOL.
What proofs are required
- Original notice of application with relevant stamp duty.
- Statutory declaration of service.
What happens when the objection is heard in court
Your objection will be called at the annual licensing court but the hearing will be set for a future date. As the objector, you must attend on both dates. You will be required to give evidence in court to support your objection.
Objections can often be determined by a compromise between the objector & the licence holder (publican).
