Publican fined €2,500 over complaint about watered vodka

A PUBLICAN has been fined €2,500 and ordered to pay costs and expenses of more than €1,000 for watering down vodka.

Charles Malzard, proprietor of Malzard's pub, Main Street, Stoneyford, Kilkenny, was convicted by Judge William Harnett at Kilkenny District Court for engaging in a misleading commercial practice, prohibited by the Consumer Protection Act 2007, by adulterating vodka.

Officials from the National Consumer Agency visited Mr Malzard's pub on July 30th last year and took samples following a complaint by a customer. They found the concentration of alcohol in his vodka bottles to be less than the standard 37.5 per cent proof.

Mr Malzard was ordered to pay costs of €363 and expenses of €818.

Agency chief executive Ann Fitzgerald said the Consumer Protection Act 2007 has given the agency wide-ranging powers to ensure traders meeting their legal obligations. These tools include both criminal and civil sanctions.

A statement from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland condemned Mr Malzard's actions. "The Vintners' Federation of Ireland endeavours to promote the very highest standards of service among its members at all times," it noted.

"Meeting and exceeding the expectations of the customer is a priority and a failure to maintain these high standards by individual members is not acceptable."