Inspectors to visit Galway pub defying smoking ban

Inspectors from the Western Health Board are expected to visit the Galway pub that is openly defying the smoking ban later today.

The owner of Fibber Magee’s on Eyre Square has decided to defy the ban because his takings have fallen by around two-thirds since it was introduced on March 29.

Ciarán Levanzio, who has set up a designated smoking area in his bar, said his only other choice was to go out of business.

The Department of Health said yesterday that health board inspectors would visit the pub today and would issue a formal warning if customers were found to be smoking.

The department said Mr Levanzio would then face a €3,000 fine if he refused to implement the ban and could lose his licence.