Vintners' boss: Tougher prison terms or ‘bar staff will die’

The head of the Vintners’ Federation has warned that a publican or bar worker could be killed because of increased levels of violence unless tougher sentences are handed down to those involved.

Padraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, said the VFI estimates that physical attacks on its members have increased by as much as 40% to 50% in recent years, resulting in serious injuries such as cracked ribs and broken noses.