In the early days of social media, a particular clip emerged that quickly captivated a global audience, achieving viral status and amassing millions of views.

The video features a seemingly typical woman strolling down an unremarkable street when she encounters a cat. The cat, appearing amiable and eager for attention, leaps from the sidewalk to a garden wall to get closer to her.

She gently pets the cat a couple of times, casting quick glances around, before unexpectedly seizing it by the neck. With surprising agility, she opens the lid of a nearby wheelie bin, deposits the cat inside, snaps the lid shut, and proceeds on her way as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

However, something extraordinary had transpired: Mary Bale, a 45-year-old bank employee at the time, had unwittingly altered her life forever.

The Daily Mail reports that Ms. Bale has never fully recovered from the international backlash provoked by her inexplicable action, which has continued to haunt her, earning her the moniker ‘Cat Bin Lady’ worldwide.

And, although she still lives in the same corner of suburban Coventry, she has become a recluse, to the extent that many new neighbours have no idea they live next door to someone who, in 2010, was an international pariah and is still remembered as such.

The Daily Mail’s revisiting of the 16-year-old case was prompted by our learning that the cat she discarded as rubbish, Lola, had gone on to live a long and happy life unaffected by what had happened to her that day and died of old age some five years ago.

But Mary Bale’s life has never been the same since.

Mary Bale, a then 45-year-old single bank worker, sparked outrage around the world in 2010 for picking up Lola the cat off a garden wall and putting her in a wheelie bin and closing the lid

The clip was one of the first of its kind to go viral – and earned Ms Bale from Coventry the unenviable status of international pariah as animal lovers globally were enraged at the footage

Ms Bale became known as the ‘Cat Bin Lady’ and afterwards said she was ‘profoundly sorry’ for what she called a ‘split second of misjudgement’. She was fined £250 by a court

The cat she chucked in the bin, Lola (pictured), went on to live a long and happy life seemingly unaffected by what had happened to her that day and died of old age some five years ago

Ms Bale, who lives alone and had to leave her job with a bank in the furore, has never recovered from the opprobrium her inexplicable action provoked and is now something of a recluse

Initially, she was unrepentant, saying she did ‘not deserve to be hated’ for her moment of madness and claimed people were over-reacting.

‘I really don’t see what everyone is getting so excited about. It’s just a cat,’ she said. ‘I was walking home from work and saw this cat wander out in front of me. I was playing with it, stroking it and listening to it purr as it stood on a garden wall. It was very friendly.

‘I don’t know what came over me, but I suddenly thought it would be funny to put it in the wheelie bin, which was right beside me. I did it as a joke because I thought it would be funny. I never thought it would be trapped. I expected it to wriggle out of the bin.’

Bale added: ‘People are reading too much into things. I’ve no feelings about cats one way or the other. I don’t keep pets myself, but I have no problem with people who do.

‘To think this video is being seen around the world is unbelievable. I’m a very private person and don’t want to upset any members of my family. I don’t know what my relatives will think, but to be honest I think everyone’s overreacting a bit.

‘OK, I shouldn’t have done it, but it’s just a cat at the end of the day. I don’t think I deserve to be hated by people all over the world, it was just a split second of madness.’

But as the public anger gathered pace and a Facebook group was set up calling for her death, Ms Bale said she was ‘profoundly sorry’ for ‘a split second of misjudgement’.  

In a statement she said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to apologise profusely for the upset and distress that my actions have caused.

‘I cannot explain why I did this, it is completely out of character and I certainly did not intend to cause any distress to Lola or her owners.

‘It was a split second of misjudgement that has got completely out of control.

‘I wish to reiterate that I am profoundly sorry for my actions and wish to resolve this matter to everyone’s satisfaction as soon as possible.’

Cowed by the death threats and hate mail she received – some wrote that she was ‘worse than Hitler’ – Ms Bale retreated from public life entirely.

One of the few people who still sees her regularly, is a neighbour, who was around when the story exploded and has known Ms Bale throughout its aftermath.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, she told the Daily Mail: ‘Mary has never got over her notoriety.

‘She was vilified by people across the world. Most people have long forgotten it but not everyone and she doesn’t feel forgiven.

‘She resigned from her job in the aftermath of the furore and never reestablished a proper career.

‘She leads a very very quiet life now and rarely speaks to anyone. I think she remains deeply embarrassed and thinks that’s all she will ever be known for.’

Another sympathetic local, mother-of-two Diana, a pet owner herself, said the unfortunate incident had ‘plagued Mary over the years and she had never been able to live down the shame’.

She added: ‘At times she struggles and I do feel sorry for her.’

Diana, who has a cat and dog, said she thought Mary would be ‘relieved’ to learn that Lola had gone on to live a long life.

After the incident in August 2010 it would later emerge that Ms Bale’s father was in critical condition at the time after a fall and he would die shortly before his daughter was ordered to appear in court.

A third neighbour alluded to this, saying: ‘Obviously it was a weird thing for her to do but when learned that her father was dying at the time – he passed just a few months later – it was clear she was not in a good place at the time she did it. Those of us who know about her are broadly sympathetic.’

Lola’s owners Darryl and Stephanie Mann, who both still live nearby, rescued their beloved four-year-old tabby from the bin after being trapped inside for 15 hours.

When they checked CCTV footage they were astonished to learn how she had got there – and furiously posted the video online.

In the days before the widespread adoption of Ring doorbells and similar devices, footage from front door mounted security cameras was much more of a novelty than it is now – and the couple later said they were astonished by how the video had blown up.

Lola, a former stray before the couple adopted her as a family pet, died from old age in 2021 but her death has not been reported until now.

It is understood she had a ‘very nice life’ despite the bin trauma.

The Manns declined to speak about her passing this week. They are understood to have forgiven Mary.

Police declined to get involved at the time but later the RSPCA mounted a private prosecution against Ms Bale which was held at the city’s magistrates court that October.

Ms Bale pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat while a second charge of not providing the cat with a suitable environment was dropped.

The court heard that she lived a few streets away from the cat’s owners and although she did not know them she had met and petted Lola previously.

Her solicitor said his client could offer no explanation for her actions, adding: ‘Ms Bale, daily, almost hourly, for the past two months has asked herself that very question,’ he said.

He added that she had felt forced to quit her bank job after 27 years.

District Judge Caroline Goulborn said the potential for harm to the cat had been ‘substantial’ but the reality was she had not been hurt – and she took into account the vilification Ms Bale had received.

But the judge added: ‘I accept you were in a stressful situation but that’s no excuse for what you did.’

Ms Bale was arrested on August 25, 2010, after she was filmed throwing a cat in a wheelie bin

At the time Ms Bale was a member of the Birmingham Bach Choir and attended the annual dinner at Edgbaston Golf Club in April 2007. She was unavailable for comment this week

In addition to a £250 fine, Ms Bale was ordered to pay costs of £1,171 and banned from keeping or owning animals for the next five years.

She is not thought to have attempted to acquire any pet since the ban expired 12 years ago.

Ms Bale has been unavailable for comment.

The Daily Mail has omitted details of her exact whereabouts and other personal details.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard has voiced her perspective on one of the most contentious true crime cases currently captivating the public — and she’s skeptical about convicted murderer Mackenzie Shirilla’s chances of regaining her freedom.

Released on parole in 2023 after serving time for her involvement in her mother’s death, the 34-year-old Blanchard shared her thoughts with TMZ about Netflix’s latest documentary, The Crash. The film, which premiered on May 15, delves into the tragic 2022 car accident that claimed the lives of two young men.

At the center of the case is Shirilla, who was 17 when she crashed her Toyota Camry into a brick wall in Strongsville, Ohio, on July 31, 2022. Prosecutors alleged the crash was intentional, asserting that Shirilla drove at approximately 100 mph, resulting in the deaths of her boyfriend, 20-year-old Dominic Russo, and their friend, 19-year-old Davion Flanagan. Surviving the crash, Shirilla was later found guilty on two counts of murder in 2023 and was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life.

In her debut on-camera appearance for the Netflix documentary, Shirilla expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, “I have excessive amounts of remorse for Dominic, Davion, both of their families. This was not intentional, and I will do everything I can to prove that to the world and the families, and that’s it.”

Despite Shirilla’s heartfelt statement, Blanchard hinted that the documentary might not have bolstered Shirilla’s case for innocence.

“The time that she’s in prison right now, she needs to grow up and take accountability,” Blanchard told TMZ. “Remorse is something that maybe is not coming natural right now because maybe it’s something she hasn’t dealt with, internally and emotionally. But it’s going to hit her like a train.”

“When that happens, she needs to take those steps to do what she needs to to make amends with the victim’s family,” she continued.

Blanchard, who was granted parole after serving roughly 85% of a 10-year sentence, said she believes parole boards place significant weight on an inmate’s behavior behind bars, demonstrated remorse, and the views of victims’ families when considering release.

She also made it clear she doesn’t expect Shirilla to receive parole early.

“The parole board takes into consideration behavior in prison, but most importantly, remorse and [the victim’s] family,” Blanchard said.

Questions surrounding Shirilla’s level of remorse have surfaced before. Kat Crowder, a former inmate who spent six months incarcerated alongside her, previously told People, “From my observations of her in prison, she never had any behaviors that mirrored that of someone who was remorseful.”

Crowder added that what stood out most was Shirilla’s “nonchalant demeanor.”

During Shirilla’s trial, the judge famously described her as “literal hell on wheels.” Still, Shirilla and her family have consistently maintained that the crash was an accident caused by a medical episode rather than an intentional act.

Addressing that claim in The Crash, Shirilla was asked, “How does a medical emergency account for the control of the car?”

She responded, “I’m unsure because I have no recollection of that morning, but I know nothing about it was intentional because that’s not my character.”

Under her current sentence, Shirilla will become eligible for parole in 2037.

In a heartfelt display of community and charity, hundreds gathered in Chicago for the 32nd annual ABC7’s Gibbons Run on Saturday. Participants included runners, walkers, leukemia supporters, and survivors all uniting for a common cause.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

This meaningful event honors the memory of Jim Gibbons, a beloved ABC7 reporter who succumbed to leukemia in 1994, and contributes to the fight against the disease.

The proceeds from the run and walk are dedicated to supporting the Leukemia Research Foundation, which works tirelessly to find a cure.

The 2026 edition of the ABC7 Gibbons Run features a variety of events to engage all ages, including a chip-timed 5K run, a 3K walk, a dash for kids, and a charming “tiny trot” specifically for children aged 3 and under.

Following the races, participants and supporters are invited to a celebratory gathering at Montrose Harbor, marking the culmination of a day filled with hope and solidarity.

ABC7’s Dionne Miller caught up with survivors and some that are currently battling leukemia.

About the Leukemia Research Foundation

The Leukemia Research Foundation, headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, is committed to funding innovative leukemia research worldwide and supporting people affected by leukemia.

Since its founding in 1946, more than $90M has been raised to pursue better treatments and the ultimate cure for leukemia. For more information, visit the Leukemia Research Foundation’s website at leukemiarf.org.

In a spirited address on Friday, Hannah Einbinder, known for her role in “Hacks,” took aim at Spencer Pratt’s mayoral ambitions in Los Angeles. The actress voiced her concerns during the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, where she linked Pratt’s growing support to financial interests.

Einbinder, 31, argued that monetary motivations were at the heart of Pratt’s rise in popularity. “In a city brimming with wealth, many individuals, who outwardly present themselves as Democrats or left-leaning, are ultimately driven by financial concerns. This often leads them to back candidates like Spencer Pratt,” she stated in an interview with Variety. “Resisting such influences is crucial,” she emphasized.

Pratt, 42, who gained fame from reality TV’s “The Hills,” is challenging current Mayor Karen Bass, 72, focusing on issues like homelessness and crime, despite a drop in crime rates during Bass’s leadership. His campaign recently gained momentum with support from Sydney Sweeney’s partner, Scooter Braun.

Einbinder’s remarks came on the heels of the series finale of “Hacks” on HBO, marking the conclusion of the show’s five-season run. Her comments highlight a broader conversation about the intersection of wealth and politics in Los Angeles.

Einbinder spoke out about Pratt’s candidacy – which recently got additional support from Sydney Sweeney’s boyfriend Scooter Braun – the day after her HBO series Hacks aired its series finale after five seasons.

She went on to say the situation was ‘complicated’ and that there are ‘no perfect candidates.’ 

Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, 31, said it was ‘important to resist’ the impact of money in the LA mayor’s election as she slammed Spencer Pratt while chatting with Variety on Friday at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television (pictured) 

The former Hills star, 42, is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass , 72, while ramping up concerns about homelessness and crime in LA, though rates for most types of crime have decreased during Bass’s tenure; Pratt is pictured on Thursday on Fox & Friends in NYC

‘I’m underwhelmed in a lot of ways,’ she continued, before adding that she was supporting LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left on an affordability platform reminiscent of the one Zohran Mamdani used in his successful campaign to be elected New York City mayor.

Einbinder – who is the daughter of former Saturday Night Live star Laraine Newman and writer Chad Einbinder – stressed that she was trying to be ‘pragmatic’ about who she was voting for.

She also emphasized that it wasn’t just about finding someone to the left of Pratt when Variety’s Marc Malkin said he wanted her to run for office.

‘You don’t. You don’t, and neither do I. No!’ Einbinder shot back. ‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna.’

She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor.

When Variety asked her who she thought should get the job, Rinna admitted that she wasn’t sure, before adding, ‘Not a reality star, though.’

‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star. ‘We’re not going to do that again.’

She admitted to being a ‘reality person’ herself and said, ‘You wouldn’t want me as mayor, really. I mean, let’s just face it, I love him. I think he’s amazing. I just think we did that.’

Einbinder said she was ‘underwhelmed’ with her choices for mayor, but she plans to vote for LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left

Einbinder, who spoke out the day after the series finale of HBO’s Hacks aired, said only people with knowledge and expertise should run for office after it was suggested that she run for office; pictured with Hacks costar Jean Smart

‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna,’ she said. She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor; seen Friday in LA

‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said Rinna about electing a reality star on Monday at the AMAs (pictured). ‘We’re not going to do that again’

In response to Einbinder’s interview, Pratt blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day’; pictured with wife Heidi Montage in May 2025 in Las Vegas

‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote in a post on X

Rinna added that she didn’t understand the apparent surge in support behind Pratt, who has placed in second or third behind Bass in multiple recent polls, including a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll commissioned by the Los Angeles Times that was released this week, which showed 26 percent of respondents backing Bass, while 25 percent said they support Raman and 22 percent plan to vote for Pratt in the primary on June 2.

On Friday, Einbinder laid out her suggestion for the kind of people who should be elected instead of reality stars.

‘We need to have people who work in housing, and tenants rights lawyers, and people with actual expertise in these positions,’ she emphasized. ‘Like, please, God!’

In response to Einbinder’s interview with Variety, Pratt lashed out at the stand-up comedian on X later on Friday.

He blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day.’

‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote.

Einbinder has previously been vocal about her support for the Palestinian people and her distaste for AI.

Last month, she mocked AI creators trying to integrate the technology into Hollywood as ‘losers’ who are ‘trying to rob real creatives’ at a press conference on Hacks’ final season.

‘The people who make this stuff are losers,’ she said, via SlashFilm. ‘They’re not artists. They’re not creative. And they’ve wanted their whole lives to be special. And they’re not special.

‘They’re trying to rob real creative people of our gifts. And you can’t. And even if you try, you will never be cool. You guys suck. No one likes you,’ Einbinder continued. ‘Anyone who’s near you is because they crave power and access over any ethical standard. You are a loser. You will never be cool.’

She added that AI creators ‘probably had a rolly backpack in high school,’ adding, ‘I wanna put your head in the toilet and flush.’

Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), showed little interest in discussing comments made by former First Lady Jill Biden about the 2024 presidential debate. Jill Biden recently expressed to CBS that she was “frightened” during her husband’s debate against former President Donald Trump, concerned that Joe Biden might have been experiencing a medical emergency, such as a stroke. Her remarks have reignited discussions about the age and health of then-President Joe Biden, especially following his debated performance that faced widespread scrutiny.

When approached by Fox News Digital for her perspective on Jill Biden’s comments, Brazile was clear in her stance. “I don’t want to talk about Jill Biden right now,” she stated, choosing to refrain from addressing the first lady’s observations about the debate.

Despite pressing from Fox News Digital, which highlighted the ongoing discussions surrounding the 2024 election and the release of the 2024 DNC autopsy report, Brazile remained focused on the future. This internal review of the party’s performance and the factors leading to its defeat did not deter her from urging fellow Democrats to concentrate on upcoming elections rather than revisiting past events.

Fox News Digital pressed Brazile to respond as conversations have been circulating around the 2024 election and what went wrong — particularly following the calling for and release of the 2024 DNC autopsy report, an internal review of the party’s 2024 defeat and the factors that contributed to it.

Brazile, referring to herself in the third person, urged Democrats to deny any calls to look to the past, and instead focus on the future of the party and upcoming elections.

“Donna Brazile will not focus on the past,” she said. “Donna Brazile want to focus on the future.”

She argued Democrats already made their decision in 2024 when Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We made that decision in 2024 when the then-president decided to step down and pass the torch to Kamala,” Brazile said.

A longtime Democratic strategist, Brazile served as interim chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2011 and again in 2016. She has remained an influential voice within Democratic politics through multiple presidential election cycles and has frequently weighed in on the party’s direction following major electoral setbacks.

There has been widespread criticism over how Democrats handled concerns about Joe Biden’s age and his cognitive health, and whether that impacted the party’s performance in 2024.

There has been continued debate within the Democratic Party about how it handled concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive health for office before he ended his re-election campaign and endorsed Harris.

Brazile’s comments highlight a divide between Democrats seeking a fuller accounting of the events that led to Biden’s withdrawal and the party’s 2024 loss and those who believe the focus should shift toward rebuilding ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and future presidential contests.

But Brazile made clear where she stands.

“Anyone who’s focusing on the past is not focused on the future,” she said. “I’m actually focused on ’26, ’28, ’32.”

An iconic bar in Atlantic City, renowned for its rich history and round-the-clock service, faces potential permanent closure due to a protracted dispute over its building height.

The legendary Irish Pub, located just steps away from the celebrated boardwalk of this New Jersey coastal city, is said to have inspired the red hotel piece in the classic Monopoly board game. For decades, it has drawn patrons with its doors open 24 hours a day.

However, confusion arose late last year when the pub unexpectedly shut its doors, leaving both locals and visitors inquiring about its status and calling for its reopening.

The reason behind the closure remained unclear until recently, when it was disclosed that the pub is grappling with fire code violations. These issues are intricately linked to an ongoing dispute over whether the establishment qualifies as a high-rise, due to its height.

According to a statement provided to the Daily Mail by the state’s Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has imposed $66,000 in penalties on the Irish Pub for these violations.

‘Under the Fire Code, business owners that receive a Notice of Violation(s) from the Division of Fire Safety can work on addressing the violations while continuing to operate their business.

‘Because this is an active matter with DCA’s Division of Fire Safety, we are unable to provide additional comment.’

Irish Pub owner Cathy Burke told local outlet NJ.com: ‘We have to resolve this issue.

The Irish Pub was the inspiration for the red hotel in the board game Monopoly

The busy boardwalk in Atlantic City. The classic Monopoly board is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of the beach town

The red hotel piece in Monopoly that was created based off the architecture of the Irish Pub

‘This can’t be the end of the Irish Pub.’

Although the pub could operate while sorting the violations, Burke said she does not want to give staff false hope only to later nix them. 

Burke said she closed the pub at the end of 2025 after a state inspection found the building needed major renovations, including adding a sprinkler system to the first-floor bar and restaurant. 

She told NJ.com that inspectors have come through the pub repeatedly over the past 20 years. ‘This is a doozie of a story,’ she said.

In the early 1990s, the state reclassified the property as a high-rise, meaning a building with occupied floors more than six stories or over 75ft above fire department access level. 

This triggered calls for stricter fire safety regulations that Burke contested in court. 

She challenged the reclassification, arguing the pub operated like a nightclub at times due to occasional live shows and musical performances.

The city fired back its point that the building qualifies as a high-rise because the street level for fire trucks is about six inches lower than the pub’s first floor. 

The interior of the Irish Pub. The bar was famously known for always being open 24/7

The interior of the Irish Pub has famous faces emblazoned on the walls and glass lamps hanging from the ceiling

The upstairs of the pub used to be a hotel that would rent rooms out for as little as $25 a night

But Burke said the pub and hotel building stood at 58ft tall and appealed to the Construction Board of Appeals, which ruled in her favor. 

After winning the appeal, Burke installed sprinklers throughout most of the building, except the bar and restaurant.

‘We weren’t required to do it, we just did it. It cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars,’ she told the outlet.

However, records obtained by the outlet showed the state later again labeled the pub as a high-rise, sparking a review of the case. It was later again determined not to be a high-rise building.

Until this year when it was once again classified as a high-rise and required to meet the fire safety codes.

‘My greatest concern is my staff and my customers,’ Burke told NJ.com. 

‘Our patrons have been so kind and understanding,’ Burke said. ‘That’s what makes me upset. They’re missing out every day that the pub is closed.’

And the patrons have shared their sadness and frustration on social media. 

Atlantic City is often called ‘America’s Playground’ or ‘Vegas of the East Coast’. An aerial view of its boardwalk and steel pier

The board game Monopoly took inspiration from Atlantic City

‘Every single day I walk past the Irish Pub, I still see people stopping at the doors. Pulling the handles. Looking sad and disappointed because it was a tradition to visit when you traveled to Atlantic City,’ one person wrote on Facebook.

‘So many asking if they’re reopening soon. People post memories. People say how sad it is.  

‘The Irish Pub is more than a business, it’s part of the identity of Atlantic City,’ another added.

The spot has been a fixture on the beach block of St James Place since 1902, and has been owned and operated by Burke and her husband, Richard, since 1972. It also previously offered hotel rooms from as little as $25 a night.

Inside, it felt like stepping back in time with an antique bar, wood-paneled interior, and green stained-glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. 

Famous writers, movie stars, and athletes have stopped by for a pint with locals saying that if you sit at the front table, eventually everyone in the world will pass by. 

Yankees player Joe DiMaggio was a regular and pictures of him are emblazoned on the walls inside the bar. 

Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer has also stepped behind the bar before to pull pints for late-night crowds.

A still from Boardwalk Empire. The Visit Atlantic City website describes the pub’s history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub’

People stroll along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The Irish Pub is located just off the boardwalk

At one time, it operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition and was raided in the 1920s – the only time it ever shut its doors.

The Visit Atlantic City website describes its colorful history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub. 

‘It has survived hurricanes, prohibition, two world wars, high tides and low tides. It has fed the famous and infamous. Being situated on St James Place and the Boardwalk, it has been identified with the game of Monopoly and the red hotels used in the game are based on the architecture of the Irish Pub.’

The classic Monopoly board, originally patented in 1935, is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of Atlantic City long before the dozens of casinos took over the town.

The Daily Mail reached out to Burke for further comment.