Downtown Gananoque restaurant faces liquor act charges after brawl
By Ronald Zajac/QMI Agency
GANANOQUE — A downtown establishment that was the site of a large Christmas Eve brawl now faces charges under the Liquor Licence Act.
The huge brawl at the Riverside Bar and Grill on King Street East at closing time early on the morning of Christmas Eve left two men injured, including a police officer, and involved more than 50 people.
Town police reported Monday that, “as a result of an investigation into a large fight which occurred at a King Street establishment on December 24, 2011, a total of five charges under the Liquor Licence Act were laid on the establishment.”
Sgt. Rhonda Sherboneau, reached Monday, would not disclose any further details of those charges, adding only that the establishment’s owner is expected to appear in court in Brockville in May.
Police laid the charges last week, said Sherboneau.
The Riverside Bar and Grill’s owner, Kyle Wilson, was unavailable for comment Monday.
Staff at the establishment would not comment on the liquor charges, saying the matter is now before the courts. An employee added the bar is still operating as usual and its liquor licence has not been suspended.
Police Chief Kai Liu was also unavailable.
In December, the chief called the brawl “a preventable event” that put the public and the police in danger, adding the bar appeared to be overcrowded and inadequately staffed.
When things turned rowdy, Liu said at the time, staff was unable to cope.
Ontario Provincial Police officers were called in to help Gananoque police with the large crowd. The worst of the injuries resulting from the incident were a suspected broken ankle suffered by one man and a head and neck injury to a police officer who was knocked to the ground.
The officer was attempting to gain control of the crowd when he was pushed indirectly and fell to the ground, hitting his head.