We became aware this week of a most unfortunate byproduct of an appearance in Court for a licensee in a public house.
While the business in question was owned and operated by a limited company, when the pub ran foul of the law by selling alcohol to a minor in a Garda Test Purchase and was successfully prosecuted, the conviction, for what was deemed to be an offence involving minors was considered to be relevant, and seen as “specified information “.
The publican was joining his partner in a Crèche business venture and was, to put it mildly, more than surprised when his Vetting was denied, due to the sale of alcohol to a minor conviction.
Retailers selling alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products and Lottery products need to remind themselves and their employees that the consequences of a conviction can be far-reaching.
If a staff member is charged and convicted, it will affect their freedom to travel.
A criminal conviction remains on your record for a considerable period before it may be expunged (depending on the nature of the offence); it’s one further reason to make sure all staff, full and part time are continuously reminded of their obligations to both the law and their employer to carry out in full the procedures for preventing sales to underage children.
