Garda report tackles underage drinking

The introduction of on-the-spot fines for public drunkenness has been recommended in a new Garda report on tackling alcohol abuse by young people.

The document, entitled Garda Youth Policy, was drawn up by a multi-agency advisory group following an upsurge of drink-related violent incidents in Dublin last year.

The group spent the last six months examining the "increasingly benign" attitude of 12- to 25-year-olds towards alcohol misuse, and yesterday presented the Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, with a series of strategies for tackling the problem.

A pub-watch scheme was recommended, allowing gardai to target areas where most violent incidents occur.

The consumption of alcohol in public places should be made an offence by the adoption of bylaws, the report said.

There was also a call for the provision of more night-time transport and closed-circuit television systems.

New laws to regulate opening hours and security standards in fast-food outlets were recommended.

A number of strategies for tackling under-age drinking were put forward. A responsible attitude to alcohol could be promoted through the existing Garda schools programme and sports-related initiatives, such as the one created to address public order problems around Leinster schools rugby matches.

Alcohol-free venues should exist as an alternative to pubs and clubs, and a proof-of-age scheme should become mandatory. The group also called for the removal of the £5 application fee for the existing age card.

Adults who buy drink for young people should be prosecuted, the report said. It also advised on the benefits of counselling for repeat offenders.

The report said the achievement of targets set out in the report would demand a "significant effort" from all involved.

Meanwhile, Labour's justice spokesman, Mr Brendan Howlin, called for additional Garda resources to implement the report's recommendations.

"The recent upsurge in street violence, disorder and public drunkenness is not only leading to injury and, as we have seen, death for young people, it is seriously damaging the quality of life in many communities," he said.

Mr Howlin said there was strong evidence from casualty departments that the number of incidents reported to gardai understated the problem.

"Alcohol has always been a significant feature of social life in this country, but there is now compelling evidence that the level of consumption among young people is so high that serious social and health problems will follow if we do not find an effective way to encourage more moderate consumption levels," he said.

Mr Howlin recommended a new system under which entertainment venues would close at different times to reduce the numbers of people on the streets late at night.