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30 Wednesday 22nd July 2009 WEXFORD ECHO NEWSPAPERS

by David Gilbert

A PUBLICAN in Kiltealyhas hit out at recent reports inthe media stating that vodkaserved in her pub has beenwatered down.

Belinda O’Brien, thelicensee of Bowe’s Bar, toldthe Echo this week that theNational Consumer Agency(NCA) had carried out tests onthe Huzzar Vodka last Octoberor November. “The resultsshowed an extremely slightvariance. No prosecution isbeing brought against us or nofine is being imposed.” Ms.O’Brien told the Echo theamount of difference wouldmean a saving of less than twocents per measure of vodka. “IfI had been watering down thevodka I wouldn’t be heredefending myself,” Ms.O’Brien added.

“I feel it is important tohighlight that a publican inKilkenny is bringing a case tothe Circuit Court in which heproposes to prove that the wayin which vodka is being testedis unreliable,” Ms. O’Briensaid.

The NCA’s consumer pro-tection list published last weeklisted only two pubs which hadbeen served with compliancenotices.

Bowes Bar and BarrackStreet Brewery Ltd., trading asThe Bailey, Enniscorthy, bothsold alcoholic beverageswhere the percentage alcoholby volume was less than that

indicated on the bottle. Thiswas in contravention of Sec-tions 42 and 43 of the Con-sumer protection Act 2007;both establishments wereissued with a compliancenotice. The compliance noticewas served to Ms. O’Brien lastMarch.

The NCA publishes some ofthe compliance notices it

serves but not all of them. Thelaw in relation to this changedin 2007 and now the agencyhas the option of publishingthe notices on its website.

The NCA called to the bar inKiltealy last October as aresult of a complaint made by acustomer of the bar. “We havenot watered down our vodka,or any other drink. We think

too highly of our customersand of our reputation.” MsO’Brien runs the bar with herpartner Martin and she wantedto thank their customers fortheir loyal support and goodwishes during this time.

The pair also run a shop inthe village and their communi-ty means a great deal to them.“I am looking to settle in this

community for the long termand I don’t want somethinglike this to be in the back ofpeople’s minds for years tocome.”

Ms. O’Brien said she wouldbe following the publican inKilkenny and the results of hiscourt case and if needs be shewill be pursuing the issue toclear her name.

Landlady furious at spurious reports

PUBS IN around Enniscorthy andthe surrounding areas have beenshown to have been breaking the lawin recent weeks.

Eamon Mernagh, owner of Mer-nagh’s Pub in Oylegate, was beforeJudge Donnchadh O Buachalla inEnniscorthy District Court recentlyhaving been raided by Garda BrianFrost on December 20 last. At1.55a.m. on the night in question,Gda. Frost found a number of peopleon the premises. He told the court thebarman was there along with theowner’s wife, but neither of themwere trying to clear the pub. Gda.

Frost said he was initially ignored bythe people in the pub. There had beena local company holding their Christ-mas party in the pub. The court heardthe pub had been in Mr. Mernagh’sfamily for over 100 years and this wasthe first time it was before the court.

The Judge fined the defendant €200but didn’t make any endorsement thistime. Two men who were found on thepremises were also fined by the Judge.Gda. Frost said Patrick Cullen fromArd Alainn, Enniscorthy was so drunkhe was unable to give his address onfour different occasions. He was fined€150 in his absence.

Jimmy Somers of Ballinaslaney,Oylegate was also found on thepremises and told Gda. Frost he waswaiting for a taxi at the time. He wasfined €50 for the offence.

Nancy Byrne of the Corner House inRathnure appeared before the court ona similar offence this week. Early onSaturday morning, September 20,

2008 at 1.35a.m. up to 30 people werefound on the premises. The courtheard a bar maid was on duty at thetime and she was informed that thepremises should be closed. She toldthe gardaí she was finding it difficultto clear the bar. Peter Crean, solicitorfor the defendant, told the court theCorner House was a rural pub and they

were not used to dealing with largecrowds and there had been a largefunction on in the pub that evening.

Mr. Crean added Byrne had no pre-vious convictions for this type ofoffence and had been involved in thelicence trade over a long number ofyears. The Judge imposed a €300 finebut made no further order.

Pubs feelthe forceof the law

Mernagh’s Lounge, Oylegate. The Corner House, Rathnure.

Bowe’s of Kiltealy. The Bailey, Enniscorthy.