The Radisson SAS Hotel in Galway was convicted yesterday for overcharging customers for a pint of Budweiser during Race Week.
The Director of Consumers Affairs brought the case at Galway District Court against Shorelark Ltd, trading as Radisson SAS Hotel, which has registered offices at Grattan Bridge House, 3 Ormond Quay, Dublin 7, after a complaint was made that the price charged for a pint of Budweiser was 30 cent more than what was on their price list, which was €4.50.
The company pleaded guilty to the offence and said the error had been caused by an administrative error.
The court was told that 2,000 prices were keyed into the computerised till and that over 1,000 of those prices were for various drinks.
The system of keying in prices had since changed so that one person now keyed in the information and it was then audited externally.
Judge Mary Fahy observed that all the other prices had been correct before she convicted the company and imposed a fine of €300 plus €250 costs.
Commenting later on the court decision, Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, said customers visiting licensed premises expected that they would not be charged more than what was displayed in the price lists.
"It is bad for consumers and businesses alike if customer trust is eroded," she said.
Ms Foley added the retail trade had a duty to display the correct price of all products so that consumers could make an informed choice and give their custom where they could get best value.
This was the cornerstone for competitiveness.
She said the Radisson Hotel prosecution followed a survey last July to coincide with the Galway Race Festival.
Inspectors visited 20 licensed premises to check compliance with the price display regulations.