First pub prosecuted for failing to display drink prices under new law

DIRECTOR of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley yesterday welcomed the first prosecution of a pub for not displaying the price of certain drinks under a new law that allows traders to be fined up to €3,000 for this offence.

Up to now, the maximum fine for conviction of this offence in the District Court was €127.

The Mercantile Bar, at 28 Dame Street, Dublin, which is owned by Sherbelle Taverns Limited, was yesterday the first pub to be successfully prosecuted for not displaying the cost of 16 drinks on their price list.

This offence occurred on November 17, 2004, and the company was fined €150 and €250 in costs.

Ms Foley said the prosecution was the first case taken since the enactment of the Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Act in June.

While the judge did not impose the maximum fine allowable on the publican yesterday, the Director of Consumer Affairs said: “The substantial increase on the fines which may be imposed by the courts should help to ensure that businesses become more vigilant and fully meet their legal obligations.”

Two other businesses were also successfully prosecuted for not displaying prices by the ODCA yesterday in the Dublin District Court.

CCC Ltd, owners of Spar Texaco Service Station, Naas Road, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to breaching the Product Prices Regulations 2002 and was fined €750 and €250 in costs for an offence that occurred on October 19, 2004.

And Prissmack Limited, trading as the 24 Hour Shop, pleaded guilty to breaching the same regulations and was fined €1,000 and €250 in costs. The offence occurred on October 12, 2004 at Londis 24 Hour Shop, 7 A South Richmond Street, Dublin 2.