Anger over 'paltry' fine for smoking breach publican

Health officials expressed disappointment today after a Waterford publican escaped with a €100 fine for breaching the smoking ban.

Mullanes Public House, Newgate Street, was found to have flouted the anti-smoking laws and licensee Robert Cunningham was fined €100.

A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health Board said health chiefs were disappointed with the minimal fine, but pleased with a successful prosecution.

The board was awarded costs of €1,500.

Mr Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to the charge, is the first publican in the south-east to be charged and successfully prosecuted.

Mullanes has become the ninth pub in the country to be prosecuted for flouting the six-month-old law, and the ban is thought to have a 90% compliance level.

Waterford District Court was told Environmental health officers visited the pub twice.

Two verbal warnings were issued, followed by two written warnings before the prosecution was brought.

Mr Cunningham was given two months to pay the nominal fine or risk facing one month in prison.

The maximum fine under the smoking ban is €3,000.