A cheese-maker must pay €1,150 for failing to provide proper hand-washing facilities at his farmers' market stall.
Patrick Hyland, a farmer from Cuffsborough, Ballacolla, Co Laois, yesterday admitted not having adequate washing facilities at his Howth Harbour cheese stall on November 5th, 2006.
An environmental health officer found the person he employed to operate the stall that day only had "wipes" to clean his hands. These were more likely to create contamination because, when the skin dries up, it harbours bacteria. The officer also found the cheese on display was not adequately covered.
Mr Hyland said the stall person had not ensured the washing facilities were there despite the fact they were available.
He had been making cheese for 15 years and invested heavily in equipment to have stalls at four farmers' markets. He claimed inspectors had "no understanding" of how a cheese-maker like him operated.
While soft cheeses had to be refrigerated, hard cheeses can be stored at 10 degrees and it was not possible to keep them covered while selling, he said.
"I get up at 4.30 in the morning to deliver my produce," he said. "My turnover is about €250,000 and I have about €40,000 left after expenses and overheads."
Judge Dympna Cusack said she hoped he would comply with hygiene requirements in the future. She said she would impose a fine of only €100 because Mr Hyland was also liable for €1,050 costs.