AN Enniskillen publican convicted of illegally broadcasting Premier League football matches in his premises on two occasions last year has been ordered to pay over £800.

Mark Drumm, the licensee of Magee’s Spirit Store, East Bridge Street, Enniskillen, was charged with two counts of dishonestly receiving TV broadcast services, first on September 16 and then again on October 17, 2016.

Drumm was accused of showing the Chelsea v Liverpool and the Liverpool v Manchester United Premier League matches at his premises illegally on those dates.

The two matches were broadcast on Sky Sports 1 Live.

After the defendant failed to appear before Fermanagh Magistrates Court last Wednesday, deputy district judge John Connolly convicted him in his absence.
Counsel for the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), which brought the prosecution, told the court that the defendant’s premises was first inspected in April last year.

On that occasion, the inspectors observed that a football match was being displayed on a screen, but could determine “no legal source” for the viewing.

The defendant was “put on notice” at this point and then two further visits were made in September and October, when the two football matches in question were being screened.

Drumm was subsequently invited for interview but failed to attend, the court heard.

Convicting him in his absence, deputy district judge Connolly imposed fines totalling £500 and also ordered the defendant to pay costs of £300, a £15 offender levy and a £10 summons fee.