A man caught selling cigarettes illegally on two occasions received fines totalling £1,600 yesterday. Chris Kavanagh, of St Mary's Lane, Dublin, was convicted in his absence at Dublin District Court of selling cigarettes at Mary Street on November 30th and again on December 6th last. The court heard he was caught first with 220 Corolla and Benson and Hedges and then with 140 Corolla. He had a previous conviction for a similar offence.
Michelle Grouse, of Ormond Square, Dublin, who had six previous convictions, received a fine of £800 for offering 200 grammes of tobacco for sale without tax stamps on Bachelors Walk on April 4th.
The court heard she moved away from the street when she saw Customs officers approach but was stopped by a Garda officer.
Bernadette Flood, of St Mary's Mansions, Dublin, received a £75 fine for a first offence of selling 80 cigarettes in North Earl Street on February 14th.
Imposing the fine Judge Thelma King told her: "The penalties for illegal trading are heavy and they are imposed, so don't get involved in this type of operation."
Frank Meehan, of St Jude's Gardens, Dublin, also received a £75 fine when he pleaded guilty to a first offence of selling 60 Benson and Hedges at North Earl Street on January 29th. He told the court he was married with four children and "couldn't manage on the labour".