Counterfeit vodka – Hughie’s Bar prosecuted

Hughie Byrne of Hughie’s Bar, Church Street, Kingscourt, Cavan, was successfully prosecuted for selling counterfeit vodka recently.

It was one of a number of pubs to get into hot water with the FSAI.

The prosecution followed the seizure of counterfeit Smirnoff Red Label vodka by the FSAI.

After pleading guilty the proprietor was convicted of four offences:

1) Making a false statement to an authorised officer which misled the investigation

2) Selling below-strength counterfeit Smirnoff Red Label vodka

3) Misleading consumers regarding the packaging and labelling of the product and

4) Failing to provide information on traceability and provenance of the product.

Fines of €7,000 together with costs of €2,000 were imposed.

“Incidents such as the sale of counterfeit vodka are an unacceptable breach of consumer trust and serve to undermine confidence in the food and drink industry as a whole,” commented FSAI Chief Executive Professor Alan Reilly, “Businesses that sell or serve alcoholic drinks should be particularly careful that they only accept genuine drinks from reliable suppliers.

“Consumers have an absolute right to know what they are buying and we will not hold back in pursuing any food business that attempts to mislead customers through the sale of counterfeit products.”

In January too, the old bottle and ice storeroom at the Swan Bar, Chapel Square, Swanlinbar, Cavan, was subject to a Closure Order while the HSE successfully prosecuted Quinns pub on Druncondra Road in Dublin.