Irish Supermarket To Close For Four Days For First Time As They Sell Alcohol To Underage Girl

Dunnes Stores has been fined €1500 and their premises on West Street in Drogheda has been ordered to close for four days after the company was convicted of selling drinks to an underage person.

The company had pleaded not guilty at Drogheda District Court to a charge of selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18 on 19 December, 2011, RTÉ reports.

A 15-year-old girl who was on work experience at the Drogheda Garda Station agreed to be a test purchaser and try and buy alcohol underage at the local supermarket.

She told the court she bought four bottles of Smirnoff Ice but was never asked for identification at the checkout.

It's the first conviction of its kind for the Irish store.

Garda Sgt Donal McGivern said he was behind the girl when she purchased the alcohol.

The duty manager was beside the assistant but didn't stop the sale going through, he said.

Judge Alan Mitchell convicted and fined the supermarket and ordered that the entire shop close for four days.

It is the first conviction of this type for the company.