Man fined for selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise
A man has been fined after he was caught selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise to fans outside the music star’s sold-out show in Dublin.
Chang Zhang (45), of Priory Way, Whitehall Road, Dublin 12, was convicted and fined at Dún Laoghaire District Court for selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise after gardaí found him offering hats, T-shirts, wristbands and friendship bracelets for sale from his car on Lansdowne Road on 28 June, 2024.
Garda George McElroy told Judge Anne Watkin that he was carrying out casual trading checks near the Aviva Stadium around 3.50pm when he saw Mr Zhang selling Taylor Swift-branded merchandise to fans from his car. He told the court he saw a T-shirt sold to a fan for €20.
When asked to produce a licence under Section 10(2) of the Casual Trading Act 1995, he said Zhang admitted he did not have one and claimed he had not realised it was required. The goods were seized and the case was brought before the court.
Counsel for the defence, Michael O’ Brien BL, suggested there was insufficient evidence, but Judge Watkin said the garda was entitled to ask for the licence.
The court heard that Zhang, who did not attend the hearing, has no previous convictions.
Judge Watkin imposed a €100 fine, giving him three months to pay, and fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal at €100.