Restaurant owner warns of at least €4 on main courses as soaring prices hit industry

Mick Hughes, second right, with Justice Minister Helen McEntee and some of his staff at The Stockhouse restaurant in Trim, Co Meath.

A restaurant owner has warned that diners could face at least €4 extra on a main course as biting price increases hit businesses "left, right and centre like a pin cushion".

Mick Hughes from The Stockhouse restaurant in Trim, Co Meath, estimates his supply and wage costs have increased by an average of 26% — and this is before the spikes in energy from May 1.