Shop banned from selling tobacco fined after getting caught again

Michael O’Reilly appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today

A shop owner in Belfast City Centre who was banned from selling tobacco has been fined after he was caught doing so again.

Michael O’Reilly appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 23, after he was found selling tobacco products at his Donegall Street shop, O’Reilly’s, in late 2025. He had previously been banned from selling tobacco products for 18 months in April 2025.

O’Reilly was also banned from selling tobacco for a year in February 2023.

At Belfast Magistrates Court, Mr O’Reilly pleaded guilty to multiple charges: Selling cigarettes whilst banned from doing so, failing to remove tobacco from the retail area while the Restricted Sales and Restricted Premises Order were in place, and selling cigarettes not in plain packaging.

He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £228 legal costs.

A council spokesperson said; ” Belfast City Council is responsible for maintaining the Tobacco Register NI, a list of businesses who are accessible to the public and sell tobacco products. Like other councils across Northern Ireland, it employs Tobacco Control Officers who enforce tobacco laws, ensure compliance with the Tobacco Register NI, support tobacco businesses to maintain good practice, and support public health initiatives to reduce smoking.”

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