Plug is pulled on Halloween teenage disco

Cathal McCartney of Newry based firm ‘Rapture Teenage Disco’ says a disco planned to take place at Lisburn Racquets Club on Friday October 31 has been scrapped after police advised the club’s owners they would be breaching the law of holding under 18 year old events because it is a licensed premises.

Cathal said: “Several years ago I realised there was no where for our young teenagers to go to at night and me and my friend came up with the business idea and it has been going well.”

“We approached the Racquets Club as we thought it would be a great neutral venure for the teenage disco in Lisburn and had all the plans in place when we were informed that the club could no longer host it,” he explained.

“Even though the main hall doesn’t have a bar, because the premises are licensed, mamagement were advised by police they would be in breach of the law and they pulled the plug on it.

“Apparently there is a function room which is licensed but we weren’t holding the disco there,” said Cathal.

“We were hoping to get about 1,000 kids along from all sides of the community.

“I’m down money for advertising, and deposits and am miffed that because of something so trivial they won’t let it go ahead.

“I’m really diappointed as this would have been great for the kids in the area and it’s just not going to happen unless we can find a non licensed venue in the area who can help us out,” he added.

Trevor Woods from Lisburn Racquets Club said: “We have a great rapport with the police who are very supportive of the club and under their advice we decided it was in the best interests of the club not to proceed.”

Lisburn Area Commander Chief Inspector John Wilson said: “Police advised the owners of licensed premises they would be in breach of holding under 18 events such as juvenile discos during permitted hours as per the Licensing Order (NI) 1996.

“The premises was advised to seek independent legal advice to ensure such activities at their licensed premises or registered clubs are fully compliant with the Licensing or Registered Clubs (NI) Orders 1996.

“Lisburn Racquets Club is a Registered Club as per the Registration of Clubs (NI) Order 1996. The decision to cancel the event was the decision of the premises, not police.”