A financial institution, an electrical store and a motor dealers yesterday became the first companies to be convicted under legislation to control the advertising of credit and hire purchase offers.
The companies were prosecuted by the Director of Consumer Affairs under the 1995 Consumer Credit Act, which requires certain details to be published in relation to the offering of financial accommodation.
First Active plc, with registered offices at Skehan House, Booterstown, Dublin, was fined £1,000 for an advertisement in The Irish Times last February. HMDS Ltd, formerly Harry Moore's electrical store, of Dawson Street, Dublin, was fined £450 relating to advertisements in September and November last year, also in The Irish Times. Aerial Motor Co. Sales Ltd, Grange Road, Baldoyle, Dublin, was fined £100 for breaches relating to two ads in the Northside People in October last year.