Martin vows to stub out smoking ban pub revolt

THE smoking ban laws will be put to their first serious test today after health authorities moved decisively last night to quash the revolt by publicans.

Amid concerns in Government circles that the smoking ban rebellion could spread nationwide, Health Minister Micheál Martin came out fighting and vowed to confront anyone who breaches the law.

The Galway publicans who became the first to break the smoking ban have been told they have until this afternoon to comply with the law or face a High Court injunction tomorrow morning.

After issuing two formal warnings to Fibber Magee’s pub in Galway city, the Western Health Board issued an order to the management to comply with the ban by 4pm today.

If the publicans still flout the law after that deadline, the WHB will go to the High Court seeking an injunction forcing them to apply the ban.

The Southern Health Board is taking action against other pubs that have come out in defiance of the smoking ban. Inspectors were last night expected to visit Connie Doolan’s pub in Cobh, Co Cork, and The Loft Bar in Bantry, Co Cork.

Separately to the threat of High Court action, the Western Health Board is also looking into prosecuting the publicans for their actions.

The owners of premises who break the law risk fines of up to €3,000 for each breach of the smoking regulations.

As Mr Martin adopted a tough stance yesterday, Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue backed him up by condemning publicans who were breaking the law. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s spokesperson also said Mr Ahern was very annoyed and disappointed at the development.

Describing the breaking of the ban as an act of defiance and an affront to the people, Mr Martin insisted he would use every means at its disposal to uphold the law.

“Let there be no doubt about it, the full rigours of the law will be applied.

“There will be no holds barred in terms of taking this head-on,” he said.

The minister said there would be no going back or review of the ban, which came into force on March 29.

“It’s been very reasonably applied and there’s been a general acceptance.

“It would be a huge disservice to the vast majority of the people if we were to go back now because it’s been a great story for modern Ireland,” he said. Also last night, official sources attributed part of the alleged downturn in business at Fibber Magee’s to ongoing construction work at Eyre Square, which is impeding access to premises in the area.

Yesterday evening, a phone-in poll by RTÉ’s 5-7 Live programme attracted 21,000 calls with 55% of people saying the Galway publicans should not break the law and 45% supporting their stance.

The owner of Connie Doolan’s pub, Danny Brogan, said he can’t afford to lose business because of the ban, and was letting customers smoke.