This article is from page 22 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
A LAHINCH hotel has been fined €3,000 for breaching legislation re- lating to the employment of two 15- year-old boys.
Before Ennistymon District Court was Ashdale Industries, trading as The Shamrock Inn, Main Street, La- hinch. A plea of guilty was entered in the case of 40 summonses.
A number of the summonses relat- ed to the hours worked by the boys. One had worked for seven consecu- tive days, during which he should have had a rest period minimum of two days.
Other summonses related to the employment of a child between the hours of 8pm and 8am which was not permissible under the Employment ae
The company also admitted to fail- ing to display the Protection of Young Persons Act on the premises.
Caroline Hayes, an inspector with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said she visited the premises in July 2007.
‘Breaches were found in relation to two of the employees. A child under- 16 wasn’t given the minimum rest period,” she said.
On several occasions the boys worked until the early hours of the
morning.
Defending solicitor Sharon Cahir said the two boys were working in the bar, where they were collecting glasses and restocking small bottles of minerals behind the bar.
“My client is aware of the impor- tance of the legislation. These young adults were 15-and-a-half years old. The parents were aware of the hours they were working in the hotel. It was five and six hour shifts,” said Ms Cahir.
“The notice is displayed in the area now, for current staff to see,’ she nee
“This Act was enacted over 12 years ago. Ireland was a very differ- ent place in terms of young people working. My client does not employ young people,” she said.
The court was told the maximum fine on each summons was €1,904. Ms Cahir asked the court to take a number of the summonses into ac- count.
Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 on six of the summons- es and took the others into considera- tion. He also ordered the company to pay €550 costs.