A Belfast city centre shop has been banned from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products for 18 months after selling the products illegally to children.
It follows a case taken by Belfast City Council against O’Reilly’s on Donegall Street in the city.
Belfast Magistrates also handed out a Restricted Sales Order against the shop’s owner – Michael O’Reilly – who entered guilty pleas to breaching a similar 12-month order issued in February 2023.
The prosecutions followed a test purchase by Belfast City Council officers which confirmed Mr O’Reilly illegally sold a nicotine inhaling product to a child under 18.
This is the first case in Northern Ireland where a Restricted Sales Order has been granted to prevent an individual from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.
O’Reilly was also fined £1,000 and ordered to pay court costs of £131. He is prohibited from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products – including vapes – from any location for a period of 18 months.
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News Catch Up: Tuesday 5th November