Councillors differ over licence for gaming machine in small rural shop

A gaming and lottery licence proposal for Carrowteige Post Office and Shop in North Mayo has been approved by members of Westport Belmullet Municipal District... but only after a split vote. 

The proposal to adopt part 111 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act for the premises, which formed part of the agenda of the May meeting of the MD, gave rise to controversy as councillors disagreed over whether public representatives should be involved in making a decision around gambling.

Westport-based Independent Cllr Christy Hyland strongly objected to the proposal, saying "these types of machines being available is not good to any area", and adding that his conscience would not allow him to support it.

Another Westport councillor, Brendan Mulroy, said it was clear there was a huge problem with gambling, that it creates havoc and ruins lives and he thought it was a dangerous message to send out that councillors would back the proposal.

However, Erris-based Cllr Gerry Coyle said the premises has been in operation for over 30 years but never got the proper designation.

“We are not getting a gambling licence, we are designating a room. It is on phones today, people are gambling. This man just wanted to keep his legality right. It is two tiny machines in there, that’s all that’s in it. 

"I can tell you people will have to do a 40-mile round trip for a litre of milk if this shop closes. This is the most rural shop in rural Ireland; it is a little shop on a lifeline, serving the people seven days a week. They are just asking for regulation on what is there already.” 

Cllr Hyland commented: “It baffles me why the survival of a shop is dependent on a one-armed bandit."

Cllr Peter Flynn said: “If Cllr Coyle is saying the shop can only stay open if the poker machine is allowed to stay, it is a really difficult one and I have seen how gambling impacts people. I think having some misfortunates losing their weekly income to keep the shop open through subsidy is not worth it, so I won’t be supporting it. Gambling is a silent disease. We are not sanctioning it here.” 

Achill-based Cllr Paul McNamara said he would support Cllr Coyle on the motion.

“I went to the shop and saw the small room with the gaming machines and they are there for the last 30 years and nobody, including the gardaí, had an issue with them. It’s not for me to say they should not be there; that’s for the court process and licensing.” 

Westport-based Cllr John O’Malley said he was abstaining from the vote because the shop was not in his area.

Director of Services Catherine McConnell said the council had no objection to the application but had no formal role in making a recommendation. The second part of the process would require the operator having to present themselves in court. 

She added: “I understand it has been operating 20 years with no garda objection but the formality had been overlooked. In the same way that we don’t object to lottery cards or betting offices, the executive has no objective to the proposal.” 

With three councillors voting in favour of the proposal and three against, Cathaoirleach Sean Carey, from Belmullet, delivered the casting vote in favour of the proposal.