A Waterford court has awarded costs against a county Kilkenny premises following a breach of the smoking ban in a case taken by the HSE.
At a sitting of Waterford District Court on Friday, July 18, the Rhu Glen Country Club Ltd, trading as the Rhu Glen Country Club, Luffany, Slieverue, Co Kilkenny, was given the benefit of the Probation Act.
The case, which was taken by the HSE South’s environmental health department in Waterford, related to the provision of a smoking area, which the HSE complained was not in compliance with the legislation.
Costs and expenses of €1,617 were awarded against the defendant, after the defendant pleaded guilty to a summons of permitting smoking at the premises on December 14 last.
The HSE South welcomed the successful prosecution, its fifth in the Waterford Community Services area since the introduction of the smoking ban.
“While the overall level of compliance to the legislation is overwhelming, it is important that the message goes out that the law on smoking in the workplace is being enforced against non-compliant businesses,” said Laurence O’Toole, principal environmental health officer with HSE Waterford Community Services.
“The HSE continues to actively enforce the provisions of the Tobacco Legislation and encourages members of the public to contact the Office of Tobacco Control, on lo-call 1890 333 100, about premises that may be in breach of the legislation.”
