A Ballinasloe vape shop was caught selling a vape to an underage child who was part of a sting operation set up by the HSE to crack down on such activity.
However, when the case came before Judge James Faughnan at the local District Court, he expressed frustration that the employee who sold the actual vape to the 16-year-old girl was not brought before him. He said that he had made his views on this matter clear a number of times, and in his view the person who sold the vape to the child should also be fined.
Barry Kelleher solr. for the HSE told the Court that on April 16 last, as part of a test case, the girl entered Vaporwave at St Michael’s Square, Ballinasloe and requested to purchase a vape. She was not asked for any ID or proof of age by the employee serving her. Vaporwave, Lurga, Gort was charged with the offence.
Judge Faughnan said that the employee should be before the Court as well and Gearóid Geraghty solr. for Vaporwave assured the Judge that this person was no longer employed by his client.
The Court heard that the purchase was part of an operation mounted by the HSE to monitor whether the law regarding the sale of nicotine products to minors was being observed by retailers in the trade. The trade had been given notice that such monitoring was in progress.
Judge Faughnan imposed a €500 fine and ordered that the company pay €1,200 in costs.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
