The Irish Times pub fires workers for spitting in neo-Nazi’s beer

Police are probing claims a neo-Nazi group obtained hundreds of dollars from a publican following an ugly confrontation with a bartender.

Police are investigating claims a neo-Nazi group obtained hundreds of dollars from a Melbourne publican after an ugly confrontation.

It comes after the two staff members were fired for allegedly spitting in a drink belonging to a neo-Nazi following a heated political debate.

It is understood The Irish Times Pub manager Nitin Parashar coughed up $651 to the group of men after they threatened to leave negative reviews online as well as take the matter to court after a bartender spat in a beer.

Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating the alleged demands, which included posting a public apology on Facebook.

“It’s believed a number of men became involved in an altercation with a staff member and have subsequently made a number of demands from the business,” a police statement said.

“As the matter is currently being assessed, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The Irish Times pub detailed the alleged spitting incident on their Facebook page, which unfolded on August 2 at the Little Collins St venue.

Pub management allege the staffers spat into a drink belonging to Elwood man Jimeone Roberts, 29, as a “consequence of a discussion with the patron over a political topic”.

Footage of the aftermath of the incident, obtained by the Herald Sun, shows a male bartender being verbally confronted by the group of men.

“You started it when you got those tattoos,” the bartender told Mr Roberts.

“I’d like it if you’d leave.”

Another man in the party, who went on to call the bartender a “f----”, defended Roberts’ freedom of choice.

“That is his personal choice. He can do what he wants,” the man said.

“At the end of the day. This is f---ing bulls---. You spat in the bloke’s beer. End of discussion.”

A bartender allegedly spat in a beer belonging to neo-Nazi Jimeone Roberts.

Neil Erikson was also involved in the altercation at the Irish pub.

Thomas Sewell was among the patrons the pub apologised to.

The venue on Tuesday announced two workers had been sacked and issued a public apology.

“The Irish Times management would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Jimeone Roberts and his friends – Stefanos, Neil Erikson, Thomas Sewell, and Ricky T for the incident that took place on 2nd August 2022,” a statement posted on their Facebook page said.

A Sonnenrad ‘sun wheel’ tattoo on Jimeone Roberts’ arm.

“Following the incident, the Irish Times management took immediate disciplinary action by terminating the two employees involved in the event which violated The Irish Times’ workplace code of conduct.

“The Irish Times management team strongly disapproves of the ex-employee’s unprofessional conduct by spitting into the patron’s drink as a consequence of a discussion with the patron over a political topic.

“As part of our commitment to provide the highest level of service to our patrons, we will continue to reinforce that all staff must remain respectful towards our patrons at all times to avoid any such future recurrence.”

Mr Roberts said the dispute erupted over a Sonnenrad “sun wheel” tattoo on his right arm, a hate symbol historically used by Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

“The bartender hassled me about a tattoo before instigating a political discussion,” Mr Roberts told the Herald Sun.

“He then asked: ‘Do you support multiculturalism?’

“He didn’t like hearing the word ‘no’ to this, so he spat into my beer during a national pandemic.

The Irish Times fired two workers after discovering they spat in a neo-Nazi's beer.

“He then refunded the beer, and associates pursued it further via the owner of the establishment.

“As a result, he and anyone that ‘showed solidarity’ with that act got rightfully fired.

“As a white Australian, I should be able to have a beer in any pub or bar in this country without having my food or drink contaminated because people disagree with my views.

“Imagine the hysteria if the roles in this situation were reversed.”

Earlier this month, Mr Roberts was hit with a community corrections order after he was caught plastering dozens of anti-Semitic posters across suburban streets in Melbourne.

Magistrate David Starvaggi described his behaviour as “one of the most disgusting, vile, repugnant acts of anti-Semitism and racial behaviour that I have ever seen.”

“Your behaviour is tantamount to pure evil and vile hatred and that has got no place in modern Australian society and you should be condemned for that,” Mr Starvaggi said in court.

The Irish Times responded to community feedback in a secondary post, saying they acted on legal advice when firing the employees.

“As a small business, still recovering from the impacts of Covid-19, we followed the legal advice in taking disciplinary action for the unprofessional conduct of our staff for spitting in a paying customer’s beer,” The Irish Times management said.

Jimeone Roberts was caught plastering neo-Nazi posters in Caulfield.

He fronted court earlier in August and was hit with a corrections order.

“We do not want to be in the center (sic) of any political views or topics.

“As always, we only want what is best for our staff and customers in continuing to serve the community, which this pub has done for over 20+ years.

“We would appreciate your understanding and support on this matter.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said neo-Nazi ideology was harmful.

“I imagine there would be many people applauding these bartenders for their actions,” Dr Abramovich said.

“I understand the disgust and rage they felt when they realised they are serving hateful individuals.

“The violent neo-Nazi ideology these men promote led to the Christchurch massacre and is about an Australia without Muslims, Asians, Indigenous Australians, members of the LGBTQI community and anyone who does not fit into their warped Aryan worldview.

“This incident is a reminder that neo-Nazism is alive in our state and should send a chill down every Victorian’s spine since the rhetoric that these hardcore bigots are spewing online, can cross the line into real-world lethal attacks.

“There are more effective and appropriate ways to fight the evil they represent than spitting into their beers. Refusing to provide them with service is one, walking out in protest is another.”

The venue has been contacted for comment.