Watchdog to prosecute publicans without price lists

PUBLICANS have been warned that they face prosecution for failing to display their prices after the Director of Consumer Affairs expressed disappointment that some are still not complying with the law.

Six publicans have been prosecuted already this year and more court cases are pending, Director Carmel Foley said.

But the penalties are low as publicans who have been prosecuted have all received fines or less than €600.

During the summer, inspectors carried out surveys during three major events, the Galway Races, the Rose of Tralee festival and the Leinster Senior Football semi-final at Croke Park.

The officers wanted to know if publicans raised their prices during big events and they checked if the prices were displayed.

Three of the 43 pubs surveyed were found to have increased their prices during the events.

Around Croke Park at the end of June, 11 pubs were visited and one was found to have increased prices.

The Red Parrot in Dorset Street raised the prices displayed by 5c a pint of stout, ale and cider, by 20c for a pint of lager and by 35c for a measure of whiskey.

The owner told the office that he has not raised drink prices for subsequent matches.

During the Galway Races, two publicans raised their prices. The Skeff Bar, Eyre Square, raised the price of a pint of stout, ale, lager, cider and a measure of whiskey by 10c.

At O’Flaherty’s Pub, in Eyre Square’s Great Southern Hotel, 10c was added to the price displayed for a pint of stout, ale, lager, cider and a measure of whiskey.

None of the pubs surveyed during the Rose of Tralee Festival was found to have raised their prices.

In addition to the price increases, the inspectors found that a large number of pubs in Tralee, Galway and Dublin failed to display the 16 item list of drinks.

Seven pubs close to Croke Park failed to do so as did eight of the 16 close to the races and in Tralee during the Rose festival.

“I am disappointed that, despite ongoing monitoring some publicans are still not fully complying with the price display legislation. I will take legal action against those who fail to do so,” Ms Foley said.