THE CORK BAR which asked a gay couple to leave after they kissed on the premises on Friday night has issued a joint statement with the couple, acknowledging that matters ‘could have been handled in a better way’.

A doorman at the Old Oak Bar had asked a Cork IT student and his boyfriend to leave the premises after they kissed on the bar’s dancefloor, a short time after being given an earlier warning for another kiss.

The statement posted by the bar on its Facebook page – which had been taken offline for some time, amid a torrent of public complaints – said all parties involved had met today to discuss the events.

“After deliberations and discussions both parties accepted and conceded that mistakes were made by all involved,” it said.

“The Old Oak apologised for any offence which was taken” by its doorman’s actions, “but stressed that no offence whatsoever was meant or intended, as we are not, and never have been, anti-gay.”

The statement said that the couple involved, who wish to remain anonymous, “accepted that they could have handled matters in a better way.”

The two parties “look forward to continuing good relations and custom”, the statement concluded.

Events on Friday had prompted a number of Facebook pages and events protesting the bar’s actions.

Read: Cork bar accused of kicking gay couple out for kissing >