GARDAI IN CLUB RAID HAD TO BE RESCUED FROM GAY CUSTOMERS

UNDERCOVER gardai investigating alleged drug dealing in a Dublin nightclub
had to be rescued when some of its gay patrons "propositioned" them, a
court heard yesterday.

The Alter, formerly a gay haunt known as 'The Shaft', of Ely Place, failed
to have its licence renewed yesterday after gardai claimed drug abuse was
widespread in the club.

Owners Derry O'Sullivan and Noel St John Ryan had failed to co-operate with
gardai in tackling the problem and the club had amassed 34 after-hours
drinking convictions over four years, Dublin District Court heard.

Mr O'Sullivan was particularly obstructive and accused a garda inspector of
being "a pawn of Opus Dei".

The court heard:

* Two undercover gardai investigating drug dealing had to be rescued by
other officers when their cover was blown because they did not respond to
being "propositioned" by some of the gay clientele;

* A disc jockey was caught dealing drugs in the club and later convicted;

* Young men stripped to the waist were frequently found dancing in a
"trance-like state", a symptom of ecstasy use;

* Bottled Volvic water was the main drink sold at the bar at £2 a go;

* Gardai found an ecstasy tablet hidden on a chair, a bag on the floor with
traces of the drug ephedrine in it and one young man openly rolling a joint
during a raid by uniformed officers;

* An empty glass bottle was thrown at a sergeant and wine poured over an
inspector on separate occasions.

MOULDY BURGERS

Gardai also found the premises, which was supposed to operate as a
restaurant, did not serve substantial meals and did not even have a kitchen
capable of preparing them.

Management tried to rectify this by having paper plates at the ready with
burgers and chips on them but Inspector Thomas Murphy said when he examined
them they appeared to be covered in mould.

"This was just a ruse to try to show they were operating as a restaurant it
was ridiculous," he said.

Mr O'Sullivan was particularly bitter towards gardai and objected to claims
of drug dealing. "He resented it and said I was not going to tell him how
to run his premises. He said it was a restaurant, that he was a chef, and
that the food available was fine cuisine."

Gardai denied they had singled out the club, which previously had a large
gay clientele. Inspector Murphy said it was precisely because of this that
gardai were "reluctant" to pay greater attention to these premises.

Mr O'Sullivan did not give evidence but his partner Noel St John Ryan said
he was surprised at the garda claims.

"Both Derry and myself abhor the use of drugs and have no interest in it."
It was they who had reported the disc jockey and they had a strict door
policy.

Judge James McDonnell said he was refusing to renew the licences and would
give his reasons for doing so tomorrow.