Folklore: Clones News, Ireland

"Poteen Fine for Smithboro Farmer"

A Smithboro farmer who admitted having posession of five gallons of poteen was fined £1000 mitigated to £500 by Judge Donal McArdle at Monaghan District Court.

He was before the court for keeping and concealing a quantity of spirits, approximately five gallons, which were unlawfully made contrary to Section 22 of Illicit Drinks Act.

Garda Inspector Pat McMurrow said that when Gardai searched the defendant's premises, they found a whiskey bottle containing a clear liquid which transpired to be poteen. Another 39 bottles were found in a shed along with a five gallon drum.

When questioned, the defendant said he had the poteen for use on sick animals and was not for human consumption. He had bought five gallons of it from a person in Northern Ireland. He knew it was an illegal substance and he had no previous convictions. He appreciated the severity of the charge and undertook never to be in posession of poteen again.

Smithboro is a small village appromimately 5 miles from Clones.

Courtesy : The Northern Standard