A PARISH priest said he was completely against the practice of a topless barmaid working in his rural community.Fr Brendan Kyne said he had been contacted by members of his weekly congregation in Limerick concerning Browne's pub in Montpelier, where topless 'Yasmin' worked every Thursday night.
As revealed earlier this week, Yasmin has been attracting customers from all over the mid-west region and further afield every week to the small pub.
Publican John Joe Fitzpatrick said his business was threatening to go under until Yasmin's introduction, which has vastly increased trade.
Amused
However, Castleconnell Parish Priest Fr Kyne is not amused with the developments in Montpelier, which comes into his parish.
"I was made aware of the situation by a number of people in the locality who do not want this local business in the area. They do not want this business to develop here," said Fr Kyne.
"People are trying to raise families and children in the area and want to give a good example," he continued.
Browne's pub is located next to a community centre and local church.
"From the church's perspective, anywhere there is exploitation of the human person it can never be condoned. This behaviour is wrong," said Fr Kyne.
"You have to ask the question, where does it go from here? There is a community here and a worry here of the knock-on effects it could have. What is next? What would come in after this," asked Fr Kyne.
Nevertheless, Mr Fitzpatrick said the novel idea had turned his business around and that he had plans to introduce a topless male bartender in the near future.
"How many pubs in Limerick have closed down in the last 12 months? There is no exploitation of the human body -- you could see the same on any beach in Ireland now," he said.
A legal source said a case may be brought against Browne's pub by public objection in a criminal or licensing case.
Disorderly
"There is no specific mention of it, but it could be interpreted as disorderly conduct which could expose it to a conviction. Objections could be applied for by the gardai or the public; and if convicted, he could face a temporary closure order," said the solicitor.
A publican's licence can be objected to through an application at the district court.
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