The maximum fine against pubs for failing to display drinks prices is inadequate at a time when many of them are multimillion euro operations, Judge Clare Leonard said yesterday.
She was speaking after she reluctantly agreed to allow the case of a pub which had repeatedly failed to display its prices over a four-month period to be heard in the District Court.
The Waterside in Howth pleaded guilty to breaches of the Retail Prices Beverages Display Order requiring it to display drinks price lists in the lounge, bar and restaurant areas of the premises.
It has failed to put up the lists despite visits from a Director of Consumer Affairs (DCA) inspector, the court heard. Judge Leonard had considered refusing jurisdiction in the case and sending it forward to the Circuit Court, where the maximum fine is €634 compared to €127 in the District Court.
She said the office of the DCA, which can also decide on jurisdiction, should take such cases more seriously "rather than doing cheapie jobs in the District Court".
She added: "A fine of £100 (€127) is laughable." She imposed fines totalling €480 and ordered the pub to pay €300 costs.