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6.1 News: Jim Fahy, Western Correspondent, reports that the Lettermore publican is the first to be convicted of breaches of the smoking ban
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9 News: Jim Fahy, Western Correspondent, reports on the Galway publican who is the first to be prosecuted and convicted under the new legislation
A Co Galway publican has become the first bar owner in the country to be prosecuted and convicted under the new legislation banning smoking in pubs.
Pádraig Folan, proprietor of Tí Anraí, at Lettermore in Connemara, was fined €1,200 at Derrynae District Court following a prosecution brought by the Western Health Board.
He was also ordered to pay €500 in costs.
The court was told that an Environmental Health Officer had visited Mr Folan's pub in April and issued warnings after discovering cigarette butts on the floor of the bar.
In May, the officer returned to the premises and found three customers smoking at the bar.
In court today, Mr Folan said he had great difficulty in enforcing the legislation.
