Smoking ban rebels turn up the heat

WHAT began as a mini revolt was last night threatening towards widespread rebellion as publicans around the country opened their doors to smokers.

In an attempt to halt the insurgency, Justice Minister Michael McDowell warned he would not be lax in instructing local superintendents to object to the renewal of pub licences where owners had flouted the smoking ban.

In Cork, the Southern Health Board promised to "vigorously pursue any employers that are openly flouting the law." It confirmed four pubs were under investigation, two in the city and two in the county. They included Paddy the Farmers on the Old Blackrock Road; Ozzie's bar in Dillon's Cross; the Loft bar in Bantry and Connie Doolan's in Cobh.