Irish Pub Owner Charged For St. Patrick's Day Bash Amid Shutdown

PASADENA, CA — The owner of a South Pasadena pub was set to be arraigned this week on a misdemeanor charge for allegedly violating the county's coronavirus health order by opening the business on St. Patrick's Day.

Joseph Patrick Griffin, 56, faces up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine for hosting a St. Patrick's Day bash in defiance of shutdown orders, according to prosecutors. Griffin of Lake View Terrace, was charged last week with one count of violating the Los Angeles County health officer order, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege the pub -- Griffins Of Kinsale -- opened its doors, served customers and offered live entertainment on March 17, during the order mandating the closure of non-essential businesses, including bars that did not serve food.

Griffin told the Los Angeles Times, he was confused by the rapid pace of the county's shutdown orders on the week of St. Patrick's Day, typically one of the busiest days of the year for Irish pubs.

“I didn’t hear any complaints until the day of, and I firmly believe those came from other area businesses and from a few people determined to shut us down,” Griffin said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.