Retailer challenges tobacco law

Maurice Timoney is challenging the ban on the display of tobacco products

A Donegal retailer is to launch a legal bid to overturn the ban on the display of tobacco products in Irish shops.

The ban on displaying tobacco products in shops in the Republic of Ireland came into effect on 1 July.

Maurice Timoney said the ban severely restricts his ability to provide trade and services and therefore violates Irish constitutional and EU law.

Mr Timoney, of Timoney News in Donegal Town, is taking the action alongside tobacco company Philip Morris.

He said the country was "swamped with legislation that is making life very difficult for compliant retailers like me".

"The ban on display of cigarettes is just one example of a piece of over-regulation that has not been well thought through and has negatively affected my business.

"As a compliant, law-abiding retailer I have a responsibility to my employees to make sure that I can continue to employ them.

"Enough is enough. The display ban threatens my business and I have therefore decided to take a stand against it," he said.