CCPC Takes 18 New Consumer Law Enforcement Actions Across Five Counties

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has published details of 18 new enforcement actions taken against traders and influencers in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Mayo and Offaly for breaches of consumer protection legislation.

The measures follow a series of in-store and online inspections and investigations carried out by CCPC officers, targeting pricing transparency, consumer information, and advertising practices.

Influencers issued with compliance notices

Two high-profile influencers were issued with compliance notices for failing to clearly disclose the commercial nature of content posted on Instagram.

Conor McGregor was issued with a compliance notice relating to posts on his Instagram account @thenotoriousmma.

Suzanne Jackson also received a compliance notice in connection with content posted to her account @sosueme_ie.

Retailers sanctioned for pricing and information breaches

A number of retail businesses were issued with fixed payment notices or compliance notices, mainly for failing to display prices, unit pricing, or mandatory consumer information.

These include Circle K outlets in Dublin and Tallaght, Flannels on St Patrick’s Street in Cork, Leavy’s Centra in Tullamore, Temptation Jewellers in Claremorris, and Eurogiant in Letterkenny, which received three fixed payment notices for unit pricing failures.

The Dublin Mint Office was issued with three separate compliance notices for unfair contract terms, misleading information, and failure to provide essential consumer information on its website.

Pubs found in breach of price display rules

Three Dublin city centre pubs were issued with compliance notices for failing to display price lists, namely The Auld Dubliner, Fitzsimons Temple Bar, and Dakota Bar.

CCPC warning on enforcement

Patrick Kenny, member of the CCPC, said traders across all sectors must comply with consumer law.

Patrick Kenny, CCPC:

“Whether you’re a retailer, a publican or an influencer, you must comply with consumer law. Our officers carry out hundreds of instore and online inspections, sweeps and investigations every year, assessing thousands of products and transactions to make sure consumer rights are upheld across the economy.

CCPC teams will be actively monitoring compliance by these traders. Failure to obey a compliance notice is an offence, and we will prosecute those who do not correct their practices.”

He also welcomed moves towards stronger enforcement powers, including the ability for the CCPC to issue significant direct fines for serious or repeated breaches.

Background and further action

The CCPC confirmed that, in addition to the enforcement actions published today, it successfully prosecuted Brown Thomas Arnotts last month for breaching sales pricing legislation, as well as a car dealer for misleading a consumer.

A fixed payment notice carries a €300 fine, while failure to comply with a compliance notice can result in prosecution.

Full details of all consumer protection enforcement actions are available on the CCPC website.