Public order offences up by 161% - survey

Public order offences have increased by 161 per cent in the past five years, according to report published by the National Crime Council today.

The report,

Public Order Offences in Ireland

, found there were 42,755 offences committed in 2001 compared with 16,384 in 1996.

Over 40 per cent of the total number of offences happen in Dublin, with over 25 per cent occurring on O'Connell Street.

Throughout the report, alcohol is repeatedly linked to public order offences, with 40 per cent of city centre offences occurring outside or on a licensed premise and 70 per cent occurring between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Mr Padraig White, chairman of the National Crime Council, said many of the offences did not necessarily cause harm but were a nuisance to the general public. "The two headings under which people are prosecuted under this act are intoxication in a public place and threatening behaviour," he said.

One of the recommendations is to enable the courts to enquire into incidents of public order offending inside or adjacent to a licensed premises when considering any application under the licensing laws

It also recommends the extension of closure order sanction provided for in the Intoxicating Liquor act.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, said his department intends to introduce proposals to give gardaí more powers to close licensed premises.

Mr McDowell warned publicans saying they "cannot make people drunk for profits and then walk away from the consequences".

The report also recommends a new National Alcohol Strategy be developed and for a co-ordinated approach between the gardaí and different groups including licensed traders, fast food outlets, the local community and the security industry in an attempt to control the offences.

The Minister said he was "intent" on introducing age cards for young drinkers and he called for the increased use of on the spot fines.

"I do believe that a number of young offenders could be diverted away from the courts with an on the spot penalty".

Labour party spokesperson on justice Mr Joe Costello called the report "startling".

He said: "The fact that intoxication in a public place and abusive behaviour accounted for 80 per cent of the offences underlines the need to take urgent action to deal with the issue of alcohol abuse and to provide a better system of patrolling flashpoints like O'Connell Street".