Venues face the music with IMRO payouts
The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) had judgments totalling over €100,000 in its favour against several restaurant and club operators, according the latest issue of debt watchdog, 'Stubbs Gazette'.
Some venue proprietors have had to cough up thousands of euro to IMRO, which chases royalties on behalf of Irish music artists. Two companies belonging to well-known bar, club and restaurant entrepreneurs, Jay Bourke and Eoin Foyle were found to owe almost €50,000 in total to IMRO.
Sherland Entertainments, a vehicle belonging to Mr Bourke and Mr Foyle which owns high profile venues including Dublin's Market Bar, RiRa, The Globe and Eden restaurant had a judgment registered against it for €36,164.43 in favour of IMRO.
IMRO also secured a judgment for €11,599.79 against Southlinch Trading, which is also owned by Mr Bourke and Mr Foyle and controls Cork's Bodega bar and cafe and other Cork bar and club venues.
Julian John, proprietor of Julian's Lounge, Midfield, Swinford, Co Mayo was found to owe IMRO €12,556. Business-man Seamus O'Neill, owner of Teach Concraid and The Maggie Bawn Lounge, Main Street, Duleek, Co Meath had a judgment made against him for €11525.43 in IMRO's favour.
Around a dozen other bar, restaurant and music venue owners had to pay out amounts of between €1,000 and €3,000 to the music royalty body.
