Step forward O’Reilly’s Bar in the Co Kerry town of Kilgarvan, where the specially made round pool table — the first of its kind in Ireland — proved so popular with locals that the bar fell foul of the gardaí.

The case was before Kenmare District Court last Friday, when a judge heard the pub is to hold a pool competition using the round table to help pay a fine caused by people staying after hours — to play on the round pool table.

The round pool table was brought in “to get the edge” on the intense competition in the pub business in Kilgarvan, but the bar has ended up in court with two after-hours charges.

Gavin Malone, of O’Reilly’s Bar, will now have to pay €1,250 to the court poor box to retain his clean licence.

He said he will now be holding “a round table tournament” and some of the funds will go to the court poor box.

Locals were attempting to master the round table when gardaí called less than an hour after closing time on November 11, 2013, the court heard.

“The locals had spotted the round pool table and were very slow to leave,” said solicitor Dan O’Connor.

However, when gardaí again called in the early hours on March 16, 2014, people were again on the premises an hour after drinking up time.

“Of course, by March 16, they were getting good at the game,” said Judge James O’Connor.

“There would be intense competition in the area and the pool table gave him the edge,” said Mr O’Connor, adding that Mr Malone was six years in business and had only one blemish. The court heard the tables can cost up to €7,000.

An offer of €1,250 for the court poor box, to be paid by July 3, was accepted by the court.

The court also heard a suggestion that Mr Malone might have to consider running a round table pool competition to raise the money and he later confirmed that planning for such a tournament is underway.

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