PUBLICANS outside the Dublin area who do not reduce the price of alcoholic drinks to last November's level will face fines of up to £500.
The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Mr Pat Rabbitte, yesterday made a Retail Prices (Intoxicating Liquor) Order fixing the price of alcoholic drinks at November levels. The Order will come into effect on Tuesday.
Publicans not complying with the Order can, under the Prices (Amendment) Act 1972, on a summary conviction be fined up to £100 (together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding £10 for every day on which the offence is continued, but not exceeding £100 in total) or, at the discretion of the court, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
On conviction an offender can face a fine not exceeding £500 (together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding £50 for every day on which the offence is continued)or, at the discretion of the court, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
The Minister made the order after Limerick publicans refused to reduce prices.
The 170 Limerick publicans are to meet early next week to discuss the Minister's action.