The Cork city manager, Mr Jack Higgins, has said that people are feeling threatened and intimidated going about their business in the city because drinking on the streets and in public areas had become so acute.
The city council is to ban drinking on city streets, probably in the autumn.
A sub-committee of the city council to deal with the issue had been set up at the instigation of Fianna Fail TD Mr Noel O'Flynn, and it had been decided to follow a model developed in Glasgow, which had proved very effective in that city.
Mr Higgins added that when the Glasgow authorities banned street drinking, compliance was almost 100 per cent within three weeks. there was no reason why a similar success rate could not be achieved in Cork.
The city manager said drinking on the streets has led to littering and a threatening presence for visitors to Cork. He said the Garda backed the council's move and would do everything in their power to enforce it.
The new by-laws are expected to be voted in by the council in September and will come into force the following month. Licensed premises providing outdoor tables for customers will be exempt.
The city council's move has already sparked interest among other local authorities. Cobh Urban District Council has introduced similar by-laws to stamp out the problem in the seaside town.
Cork Corporation says the latest move in the city will be worthless if it serves only to drive street beer drinkers into the suburbs, where no similar provisions have been introduced. But it is understood that Cork County Council is preparing to introduce similar bylaws and that within a short time street drinking will be banned throughout Cork county and city.
The new by-laws will give the Garda authorities the power to impose on-the-spot fines of £25. A special office will be established in Cork's City Hall to administer the fines, and failure to pay will result in a court appearance and a possible fine of up to £500.