Sales of the controversial Playstation 2 game, Manhunt, have increased by a quarter at the Smyths toy store chain in Ireland, following the publicity generated by the link between the game and the murder of a 14-year-old boy in England.
Smyths said it would not be following the lead of Dixons, Currys, PC World and Game in withdrawing the video game from its shop shelves. Xtravision, HMV and GameStop are also continuing to stock the video game, although all the stores stress their strict over-18 policies.
A spokeswoman for Smyths, Ms Michelle Blank, said yesterday: "As it is legal for adults to buy such a game in this country . . . it is not the company's intention to control what adults buy."
The parents of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah, who was killed in February, blame the game for their son's death, saying that 17- year-old Warren Leblanc, who pleaded guilty to his murder on Wednesday, was influenced by it.
A spokeswoman for Xtravision said yesterday they are not here to do the censor's job and have no plan to change rental or purchase policy with regard to the Manhunt game.
The head of public relations for HMV in Britain and Ireland, Mr Gennaro Castaldo, said that while their staff are well trained and challenge people to prove their age, "ultimately this should come down to parent responsibility and parents have the greater role to play here".
Meanwhile, according to a spokeswoman for Virgin Megastore, Ms Lisa Agasee, the company is currently not selling the game because there have been a few cases in Britain where under-age customers have managed to purchase the game.
She said the game would be back on their shelves after a period of staff retraining.
The Irish film censor said Ireland is one of 16 European countries that subscribe to PEGI, the Pan European Games rating system, which certifies video games.
"This game was rated over-18 last year and to date PEGI have received no complaints about its classification," the film censor added.
Earlier this week, the company that produces Manhunt, Rockstar Games, said the game should not be linked to the murder. In a statement, the company said: "We would like to extend our sympathies to the Pakeerah family.
"We reject any suggestion or association between the tragic events and the sale of Manhunt. There is a clear certification structure in place and Manhunt was clearly classified as 18 by the British Board of Film Classification and should not be in the possession of a juvenile."