Soft fines for non-display of prices won’t deter publicans

FINES for failing to display drink prices are not tough enough to deter wealthy publicans, the Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, claimed yesterday.

Her comments followed the decision by Limerick District Court to impose fines totalling €381 on the owners of Aubars, Thomas Street, Limerick, for three breaches of the Retail Price (Beverages in Licensed Premises) Display Order.

While Ms Foley welcomed the court’s decision to impose the maximum fine of €127 for each breach she felt it was no deterrent to publicans earning huge profits.