FERGUS – The Goofie Newfie pub in downtown Fergus has put alcoholic beverages back on the menu, as the
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has confirmed the business’s liquor licence has been reinstated, effective July 25.
In a statement from the AGCO to the Grand At 101, the organization states that the decision to suspend and revoke the Goofie Newfie’s licence was made in response to the conviction by the Ontario Court of Justice of one of the bar’s owners, Robert O’Brien, on two counts of sexual assault.
In June 2025, O’Brien was convicted in June of two counts of sexual assault related to incidents that happened in 2022 and 2023. Sentencing is set to happen this fall.
The statement explains, “On the basis of his conviction, Mr. O’Brien was deemed ineligible under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 by the AGCO. Mr. O’Brien is no longer permitted to be involved with the liquor licence and is prohibited from being at the premises.”
The business is owned and managed by Rebecca O’Brien, who continues to operate the business without her spouse and has stated that her husband has not been at the restaurant since his verdict on June 16th.
