Publicans are 'being held to ransom'

The annual conference of the Vintners Federation of Ireland has heard publicans are being "held to ransom" by troublemakers who are abusing the Equal Status Act.

The VFI says the legislation must be immediately changed, or new laws brought in to allow them to refuse service to those acting in a violent or disorderly manner.

Chief executive Tadhg O'Sullivan said this afternoon: "At the moment, my members are having to put up with unacceptable behaviour, because the power to refuse service has been withdrawn."