A DROMORE pub has been shut down for two weeks after at least 30 people were found drinking on the premises in the early hours of the morning.

Adrian Maguire (44) the proprietor of the Central Bar on Main Street in the town was also fined £1,000 after the Magistrates Court heard he has a previous conviction for allowing the consumption of intoxicating liquor outside permitted hours.

The offence came to light when police on mobile patrol saw a number of 'drunk' people coming out of the Central Bar at 2.50am on Sunday May 13. Inside the officers found between 30 and 35 people in the establishment, many of whom were drinking alcohol.

A defence solicitor acknowledged Maguire is "now skating on thin ice." He added that the proprietor is now aware his license is in jeopardy if he offends again and stated there were 'no exceptional circumstances' in this case.

The Magistrate Liam McNally described the offence as, "A very serious breach of licensing hours at 2.50am with people leaving in a disorderly manner."

The Magistrate ordered that the closure take immediate effect and allowed Maguire 10 weeks to pay the fine.