Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 19 May 2026
Belfast City Council was today successful in two prosecution cases brought before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
In the first case, the owner of Sahara Shisha, a café on Botanic Avenue, pleaded guilty to a failure to prevent people smoking shisha within his premises. Mr Mesut Savcun was fined a total of £1350 plus costs of £79 for breaching smoke-free legislation under The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
Belfast City Council brought the prosecution following repeated visits to the cafe by Tobacco Control Officers. On five occasions, officers witnessed people smoking shisha within the enclosed premises. It is against the law to smoke in enclosed or substantially enclosed workplaces, public spaces, work vehicles and public transport. This legislation protects workers and the public from exposure to second-hand smoke. Tobacco Control Officers are responsible for enforcing this legislation and support businesses with advice and information to help them operate in good practice.
In a second prosecution success for the council today, a landlord was fined £250 for illegally evicting a tenant from his rented accommodation.
Patrick Brady was also ordered to pay £78 costs at Belfast Magistrates’ Court after unlawfully evicting his tenant from accommodation at Oranmore Street, Belfast.
Local councils can investigate complaints about landlord harassment or illegal eviction of tenants and have powers to prosecute landlords for these offences.
More details on tenants’ rights and information about good operating practice for landlords can be found on the Council website.