Tobacco crusader lights up for smokers' rights
Saturday July 24 2004
The phantom smoker, who goes by the name of Wandering Minstrel, has unleashed a campaign of defiance against the anti-smoking crackdown by visiting pubs nationwide, openly smoking - and then leaving his calling card.
He launched his campaign in Cork but his defiance has now taken in other counties.
The Wandering Minstrel immediately leaves a premises once instructed to put out his cigarette.
While the campaign was initially greeted with grudging admiration by publicans, the heavy fines threatened against all premises breaching the regulations has sparked a dramatic mood switch.
Kerry publican, Don Carmody, of the Elm Bar in Duagh, Co Kerry, encountered the Wandering Minstrel when he directed a customer to stop smoking.
He left, dropping his calling card on the table. It featured a rough sketch of the customer - complete with hat and scrub beard.
Nothing else was noted about the wraith-like smoking crusader beyond the fact that he drives a plush MG sports car.
Environmental health officers, meanwhile, are believed to be close to smoking out the Wandering Minstrel and have vowed to stub out his campaign of disobedience before it ignites any further public protests.
- Ralph Riegel
