Public order is a problem in urban areas late at night and may require extra legislation to deal with it, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said yesterday.
Mr O'Donoghue said he was considering a Bill to tighten already strong public order legislation in the light of street violence and other public order offences.
He said conditions would be applied to fast-food outlets and other premises where people congregated late at night.
He was responding to questions in Tralee, Co Kerry, on claims garda∅ there were unhappy with the new pub and nightclub closing times and were attributing offences to the extensions.
Mr O'Donoghue denied the disorder problem was linked to the increased pub opening hours. The biggest clampdown since the foundation of the State in underage drinking and "swingeing penalties" had been introduced with the Intoxicating Liquor Act. Indictable crime was down almost 25 per cent, "levels that could not be imagined four years ago".
"But it is also true - and I am not going to bury my head in the sand - we have a problem with public order. That is why we have brought in Operation O∅che to tackle black spots."
The new legislation, which he hoped to introduce in the lifetime of the Government, would cover a number of premises. "There may be a need to bring in restrictions in relation to certain premises where there is habitual trouble. And I am not just confining it to fast-food outlets," Mr O'Donoghue said.
A Garda protest over manning levels was narrowly avoided before the Minister visited to open Kerry Technology Park. Talks between the Garda Representatives' Association and Garda management resulted in a promise of extra manpower when required.
Six garda∅ in Tralee are on sick leave following assaults on them. Extra manpower is to be provided through overtime rather than increased numbers.