How Dare You Offer Comfort And Shelter!

Last week saw a rather telling court case in Paddyland.

A judge in the Republic of Ireland has ruled that an awning is a roof.

And an area outside a pub with such a retractable roof was not exempt from the smoking ban, Mr Justice Peter Charleton said, at Dublin High Court.

An area furnished with barstools, varnished wooden counters and a large flatscreen TV was a place where, he said, customers could legally "while away their time watching TV, drinking pints and smoking to their heart's content".

Given the high level of rainfall in Ireland, especially during the summer, the judge said people "want respite from the elements" and "don't want their drink to be watered down".

Comfort and shelter were clearly the purpose of this awning."

And that just won't do.

An awning outside the building cannot be allowed because the law was (honest, guv) about victimising smokers protecting the bar staff, err, inside the building. Hmmm.

It was never about health. Was it.