Man who sold below-strength vodka is ‘the worst kind of publican’

A judge described a 49-year-old Clare man as “the worst kind of publican” after hearing that the man sold below-strength vodka to his customers.

At Kilrush District Court yesterday, Judge Patrick Durcan ordered that Michael Johnson shut down his premises, Johnson’s Bar on Henry St, Kilrush, for seven days. he was also fined €4,000.

The court was told Johnson bought 12 bottles of vodka for €144 from a man he did not know. The vodka was below-strength alcohol, with 33% strength as opposed to the regulation 37%.