Drinkers happy with their lot

JUDGING by the reaction in Kilkenny yesterday, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy was easy on those fond of their tipple.

The smoke signals weren’t good before the Budget but those who enjoy the odd fag felt an extra 50c for a pack of 20 wasn’t too excessive.

Many more were delighted the humble pint wasn’t hit.

“I’ve been smoking since I was 16 or 17 so I’m hardly going to kick the fags now,” said Sean Murphy, a father of three from Kilkenny city.

“I’ll buy a couple of boxes of fags tonight and stock up before the price hike comes in. And like every other year, I’ll be off them for a while at least after Christmas.

“I’ve been trying to give them up for the past 20 years. I thought he’d put at least 1 onto the price of a packet of fags. Just 50c is fine.

“The increase brings my brand to 5.77 now. I thought we’d be looking at them costing over 6 after today.

“I’m happy. I smoke between 20 and 30 a day, depending what I’m doing and if I have a drink or not,” he said from his barstool at The Village Inn, Kilkenny city.

On his left, Donal Brady, a Dubliner who moved to Kilkenny for work, was also happy.

“I drink and smoke and I enjoy both,” he said. “I was really expecting the cigarettes to be harder hit. I’d typically smoke around 20 a day. I’m 100% behind (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern and I’m delighted with McCreevy’s budget.”

Pub owner Terry Kelly said the increases would not put him out of a job. Judging by the number approaching the counter, it wasn’t slowing down trade either.

“It was all to be expected,” he said as he filled pint after pint.