Drinking in public has been banned from the streets of Galway. The corporation said yesterday that the Garda was the only organisation to make any submission in relation to a new bye-law for the city. As a result, it passed smoothly through a meeting of the local authority to ensure that the ban comes into effect immediately.
The law was first discussed by the local authority last May. The corporation agreed to adopt the regulations, which will outlaw the practice of "bush drinking", the consumption of alcohol in public places anywhere other than in or directly outside licensed premises.
When the matter was raised last night, the Fianna Fail senator, Ms Margaret Cox, said she had genuine concerns that family groups enjoying a picnic at the beach, for example, would be found to be in breach of the law.
"There is no point in having laws that are too restrictive," she said. "Many people, such as respectable family groups, would take an ice box to the beach on a sunny day, if we ever were to get such a day again."
However, the city manager, Mr Joe Gavin, said not one member of the public had made a submission to the corporation relating to the draft law. A PD councillor, Mr Donal Lyons, said the problem of having no law relating to street drinking was greater than the concerns expressed by Ms Cox.
The regulation will be known as the Galway (Regulation and Control of the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Public Places) Bye-Law 1998. The consumption of all kinds of alcohol in public places, other than licensed premises which have obtained special licences, will be outlawed and gardai will have the power of arrest without a warrant.
Fines of up to £100 will be imposed on those who are convicted of breaking the bye-law.