Objections are 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.
What does this application do
The application to object to an intoxicating liquor (alcohol) licence allows you to object to the renewal of an intoxicating liquor licence. For example, you can object to the renewal of a pub, hotel, club or off- licence on certain grounds.
You can object to a renewal application in the district that you live in, or otherwise occupy or pay rates in. For example, as a business owner. A single objector or multiple parties can object to the same pub licence.
What are the grounds for an objecting to an intoxicating liquor licence
As stated in the legislation, there are a number of grounds that allow you to object to a licence.
Please ensure the applicable grounds are included in your application:
- the character, misconduct or unfitness of the applicant,
- unfitness or inconvenience of the premises,
- unsuitability for the needs of people residing in the neighbourhood,
- the adequacy of the existing number of licensed premises of the same character in the area.
How much does this application cost
There is a fee of €35 per application.
How to apply
1. Complete your application
You can complete Form 80.1 manually.
2. Serve the notice parties
You must notify or serve the relevant notice parties for the application. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information. If the application is submitted in CSOL, the notice parties are automatically notified. Only An Garda Síochána can object through CSOL.
For this application, the notice must be served on the licence holder at least twenty one days prior to the annual licensing court. To submit an objection, you must know the exact name of the licence holder, individual or business. If you do not know this, staff at the court counter can look up this information for a fee of €35.
3. Submit your application
Your 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 your 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
You must provide the required supporting documentation or "proofs" to the court office. This must be done manually as there is currently no option to upload the "proofs" listed below through 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 resolved through a compromise between the objector and the licence holder.
