A Co Galway publican has been fined €2,500, and ordered to shut his pub for 25 days for selling alcohol to two 16 year-old girls.
Mr Michael O'Rourke (76), Ballygar, Co Galway, pleaded guilty at Ballinasloe District Court today to two charges of selling drink to the girls on May 21st last.
The court heard how the girls were later found drunk on the streets of the town. They admitted to Gardai that they had bought the drink from local Mr O'Rourke's pub.
One girl bought three cans of Bulmer's and a naggin of Vodka, and another bought a naggin of Vodka.
The court was told the publican had two previous convictions for selling drink to young people in 2004.
Judge Reilly told Mr O'Rourke he took a serious view of publicans profiting from selling drink to under-age people.