power security guards should have in expelling unruly customers from their premises.

The issue was brought to light by recent Supreme Court proceedings in which Flanagan's Pub and Restaurant manager Kevin Pollock was sent to prison for the negligent manslaughter of a patron who refused to leave.

Flanagan's owner Tom Gallagher spoke to The Royal Gazette after yesterday's sentencing, in which Pollock was sent to prison for seven-and-a-half months.

He said he felt his manager was "only doing his job'' when a scuffle broke out between himself and Craig McGavern, who fell down a flight of steps and received fatal head injuries shortly afterwards.

Asked how they felt a similar case could be avoided in the future, Hamilton bar owners and managers were in disagreement.

Manager of The Captain's Lounge Melvin Dillas said: "I think some of those judges need to come out and see what managers have to put up with sometimes.

"It's all right saying that common sense should prevail but, in the heat of the moment, it's not all that simple. These things can happen very easily and it's a sad state of affairs.'' Mr. Dillas said he did not feel that the Police could be called every time something happened because "it goes against your own liquor licence''.

"I don't think what happened was intentional,'' he added. "It's easy to say that someone should be barred but when they've been drinking a lot then it's very difficult.'' One of the owners of The Pickled Onion, Philip Barnett, said he felt establishments should be given more powers in being able to remove unruly customers.

He said: "Although we've never had any problems here, I know a lot of patrons at bars feel they can stay in a place as long as they want without anything happening to them.'' Mr. Barnett suggested that Police and managements form a partnership which would allow misbehaving patrons to be arrested under a no trespassing law, "as it is in Canada''.

He also added that security guards should be sent on accreditation courses that teach them the law "inside-out'' and let them know what they can and cannot do when situations arise.

Spinning Wheel public relations officer Clarke Burgess was of the opinion that physically removing customers should be left to the Police.

"I know it's difficult in the heat of the moment, but I've always been very reluctant to put my hands on anyone,'' he said, "and I like to try and persuade them to back off.

"Failing that though, when you have someone like that, it's best to refer them to the Police. I don't believe security should be there to manhandle people.'' Another bar owner/manager, who asked not to be identified, agreed that the Police should be called when trouble arose.

"We don't have security here,'' he said, "because I think it's off-putting for customers to see big men in black standing guard at the door.

"If I ask a patron to leave and he chooses not to, then I'll call the Police.

I think it's important not to lose your temper but to deal with the matter soberly.

"If you've chosen to sell alcohol, which can make some people act aggressively, then you need to take responsibility for the actions of people in your place. The best thing to do is keep your head and call the Police.''