Are Dingle Pubs/Restuarants breaking the 'no smoke' laws

Smoking filters back into pubs

A SILENT rebellion against the smoking ban is taking place along the south-western seaboard, the Irish Independent can reveal.

Despite the threat of a €3,000 fine, many publicans are allowing their customers to light up in the hope they will not be detected by the country's 40 'smoke police'.

The rebellion is particularly strong in Co Kerry with some bars in Killarney, Dingle and Tralee - as well as rural areas - turning a blind eye to smoking.

"There are quite a few places that locals know of where smoking is permitted," said Kerryman journalist Aidan O'Connor.

"There's a well-known pub in Tralee where people can smoke after closing time. There's a prominent hotel in Killarney where people are allowed to smoke in the toilet and there's a GAA pub in Killarney where they turn a blind eye."

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