New Figures Confirm Under Age Drinking Not Being Tackled in Dublin
Published 19/03/2002

"Dublin has the worst prosecution record on underage drinking in the country" said Roisin Shortall last week. Garda figures released this week to Raisin Shortall T.D. indicate a major failure to enforce under-age drinking laws in the Dublin area.

Between the introduction of the Intoxicating Liquor Act in June 2000 and February 2002, 103 convictions were secured by Gardaí nation-wide against off-licences, shops and pubs who illegally sold alcohol to minors. ? Only two of these have so far been secured in Dublin. By contrast Gardaí in Mayo have taken 23 prosecutions and in all 23 cases a conviction was secured.

Most shocking of all, while pubs have been closed down by Gardaí and the judiciary in every corner of the country for breaches of the law, not a single one has been closed in Dublin.

Ms. Shortall said that the Government and senior Garda officers had only paid lip service to getting rid of the menace of under-age drinking in Dublin. "It remains one of the biggest factors in maintaining the intimidating atmosphere felt by many in their own neighbourhood. It is also undoubtedly contributing to the increase in street violence." "Some newspaper reports have recently pointed to possible loop-holes in the law.

It is up to the Minister to sort these out immediately. But also Senior Garda management have questions to answer about their commitment to enforcing the Intoxicating Liquor Act in Dublin. If Gardaí in the West can close down 45 pubs/off-licences/supermarkets, why isn't the same happening in Dublin? Instead of yet another half-hearted campaign with a fancy name that lasts for a few months, lets have Operation 'enforce the law.' It's the least everyone in the community, including law-abiding young people, can expect from Garda management," said Ms. Shortall.

 

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