Publicansfinedafter sellingCarlsberg

February 2002

Substituting Carlsberg for Harp during the Fleadh Cheoil proved costly for Enniscorthy publicans [NAMES WITHELD] at Enniscorthy District Court last week.

The Director of Consumer Affairs accepted a plea of guilty from the defendants to showing false or misleading prices in the pub on August 27, 2000.

State Solicitor Kevin O’Doherty accepted that the premises was generally well run but the price displayed proved less than clear on the day in question.

The price list gave a price for bottled lager, but when the inspector asked for a bottle, he/ she was charged more than the amount shown.

Defending solicitor Niamh Moriarty explained that Harp was the cheapest bottled lager at the time of the offence.

The figure shown on the notice was correct for Harp but the inspector was apparently handed a bottle of Carlsberg, for which he/she was charged the correct amount.

Ms Moriarty stressed that her clients were many years in business and had never previously come under the scrutiny of the consumer affairs authorities.

Mr O’Doherty informed Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla that the maximum fine was €500 and said he had been instructed to seek costs.

He agreed that this was not a particularly bad case.

The judge suggested that most customers during the Fleadh were probably seeking fast and furious service, not a discussion of the merits of various brands.

However, he imposed a conviction, with a fine of €130, and ordered the defendants to pay costs of €100.