Man arrested for pulling gun in Welsh pub after patrons told to order drinks in English

A gun was pulled during a row in pub in a Welsh-speaking village when regulars were asked to order in English. The argument broke out between regulars and new management at the Royal Oak in Penrhyndeudraeth, near Porthmadog in Gwynedd. Police were called in the early hours of Saturday and removed two air weapons. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and later released on bail.

The village, in the heartlands of Welsh nationalism, is one of Wales’ most popular tourist locations. It is known that more than three in four locals spoke Welsh as their preferred language. On Sunday night, Dewi Lewis, a local councillor said: “Welsh is the first language round here and many customers are used to ordering their drinks in Welsh.



“It seems that managers didn’t like it. People were asked to order in English, which they didn’t like, and things went from bad to worse.” He praised the actions of the police, saying they had taken the issue seriously. It was claimed the former licensee was asked to leave by police after the incident. The new licensee, who declined to be named, said he was asked to take over the running of the pub on Saturday.

“I just got a call from the company saying ‘can you come and run the pub’ because there has been an incident,” he said. “Police have told the former licensee to leave the village and somebody has to be here to keep the pub open, although we have to wait to get the all clear.” He added: “I was surprised, I have never heard of something like this happening here before.” Police said inquiries were continuing. A North Wales spokesman said the brewery owners of the public house were fully cooperating with their inquiry.