The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has barred Gladstone Hotel manager Mark Keegan, finding he failed his responsibilities during a serious RSA breach involving a repeat intoxicated patron.
The disciplinary action follows an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) into an incident on 23 March 2024, when a male patron collapsed outside the Stockton hotel after consuming 21 alcoholic drinks over five and a half hours.
The latest decision follows earlier disciplinary action against Keegan’s wife and the former licensee, Tracy Keegan, who was banned from holding a liquor licence for two years over a separate serious intoxication incident at the same hotel involving the same patron.
L&GNSW launched its investigation after receiving a complaint about the March 2024 incident. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed the patron displaying numerous clear signs of intoxication throughout the afternoon.
According to ILGA’s decision, the man struggled to walk, staggered into another patron, stumbled into furniture, held onto tables and chairs to remain upright, behaved in an overly friendly manner with other patrons and knocked into a display sign near the bar entrance.
When he eventually left the venue, three people were needed to help him into a vehicle.
Investigators found the patron consumed 19 beers and two shots between 12.57pm and 6.27pm before leaving the hotel in what ILGA described as an advanced state of intoxication.
The Authority found there were multiple missed opportunities for staff to stop serving alcohol.
“On one occasion, it appears that one of the staff members began pouring another schooner of beer for the patron immediately as he finished his 18th beer without proper assessment,” the decision states.
ILGA also found another staff member served the patron two shots, one tequila and one Cointreau, about five minutes apart while he was already consuming his 13th beer.
The decision further found staff failed to intervene when other patrons purchased drinks for the man, allowing him to continue drinking despite increasingly obvious signs of intoxication and “ultimately leading to his advanced and inherently dangerous state of intoxication.”
ILGA determined Mark Keegan failed in his responsibilities as approved manager by not ensuring the proper supervision and management of the licensed premises. As a result, the Authority ordered the withdrawal of his approval to manage licensed venues.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said the case highlighted the importance of effective RSA practices and early intervention by venue staff.
“This patron displayed multiple signs of intoxication that should have been identified and acted upon by staff well before the patron reached such a dangerous state.
“This is particularly concerning given this is the second serious intoxication matter involving the Gladstone Hotel in recent years.
“Venues must have effective systems in place to identify intoxication, intervene early and protect patrons from harm. Where those systems fail, Liquor & Gaming NSW will take action.”
The Gladstone Hotel’s liquor licence has since been transferred to a new licensee. ILGA has also previously imposed additional CCTV and Plan of Management conditions on the venue following earlier complaints and compliance investigations.
The latest disciplinary outcome is a reminder that approved managers, as well as licensees, can face significant regulatory consequences where RSA obligations are not met and intoxicated patrons continue to be served alcohol.
L&GNSW offers a ‘managing intoxicated patrons’ fact sheet to assist venues, available here.
