The Irish Cottage will go dry for 30 days this fall after the Franklin Common Council voted 5–1 on June 2 to temporarily suspend the neighborhood bar’s Class B liquor and entertainment licenses. The suspension is scheduled to begin in September and end Oct. 1. The decision traces back to a November 2024 crash on Lovers Lane that killed resident Jim Riegling and the family dog, Poppy, and followed emotional public pleas from Riegling’s widow for the bar to be held accountable.
As detailed in the City of Franklin June 2 meeting packet, The Irish Cottage’s renewal applications were listed on the License Committee agenda. The council moved that item into closed session, then returned to open session to vote. The packet lists Irish Cottage of Franklin LLC’s renewal filings for the 2026–27 licensing year at 11433 W Ryan Rd, placing the suspension decision squarely in the middle of the routine renewal process.
What the council suspended
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, council members approved a 30-day suspension of the pub’s Class B combination license along with its entertainment and amusement license. The penalty is set to start in September and expire Oct. 1. The outlet reported that the vote came after a closed-door discussion and that the action was tied to the 2024 fatal crash.
Family testimony at the meeting
Public comment was dominated by Riegling’s widow, Debra, who urged officials to act, telling the council that the bar overserved the driver and asking the city to hold the establishment accountable. “My world has been torn upside down, our future together is gone,” she said, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. Her remarks framed the debate that ended with the 5–1 vote to suspend the licenses.
Crash and sentencing
The November 2024 crash on Lovers Lane killed 74-year-old Jim Riegling and his dog. The driver was later prosecuted and, as Franklin Community News reported, was sentenced in May 2026 to a lengthy term. In that coverage, Milwaukee County Judge David Borowski was quoted questioning whether Wisconsin should go further in holding bars or bartenders responsible for overserving, telling the defendant, “All you had to do was spend $10 on an Uber.”
Legal context
Local governments have administrative authority to approve, deny, suspend, or revoke Class B liquor and entertainment licenses, and the Franklin council used that tool during its annual licensing cycle. Wisconsin case law also allows for limited vendor liability in certain situations. The state Supreme Court decision in Sorensen v. Jarvis and subsequent commentary help explain why communities often turn to licensing actions when a drinking-related tragedy sparks public calls for accountability.
What comes next
The 30-day suspension falls during the city’s 2026–27 licensing period, when renewal applications are processed, so the penalty will apply as The Irish Cottage seeks its next-year permit. The City of Franklin packet lists the bar’s renewal as part of the July 1 licensing cycle. Council members indicated they could revisit licensing or operator issues if new information comes to light.
