Call for closure of porn cinema
Site of the 24-seat sex cinema located behind the Jade Winters sex shop on the outskirts of Galway city, and according to one local councillor patrons pay €12 admission and are offered the choice of straight or gay movies
Monday May 19 2008
Fine Gael Councillor Padraig Conneely said he was shocked to discover that such a cinema -- apparently the first of its kind in the country -- was operating in the city.
The 24-seater cinema is located behind a sex shop called Jade Winters at the Liosban Industrial Estate, on the Tuam Road on the outskirts of the city.
"There are 24 seats and patrons pay €12 admission. It is staffed by two men from eastern Europe and all efforts to contact the owners or manager have been unsuccessful," Mr Conneely said.
"Patrons are asked whether they wish to watch gay or straight porn films and there are a number of small cubicles in the cinema where customers can watch specific films. It all sounds quite lurid and it is not what we want for the image of Galway. We are a city of culture, not of sleaze."
He said that the premises was open from 2pm to 2am and he wanted Galway City Council to immediately investigate it and have the cinema closed down.
Unacceptable
"We can have a liberal agenda but there are limits. There are adult shops in a lot of towns and cities but this is unacceptable and I want this cinema closed," he insisted.
A garda spokesman said he was not aware of any complaints to date about the Galway cinema.
If a complaint was received, all of the circumstances surrounding the operation of the cinema would have to be looked at and it could be a matter that might need to be referred to the film censor.
