Sir, - It seems quite obvious that the extended opening hours of public houses are responsible for more and more criminal behaviour on our streets at night, as well as more drunken driving, causing more deaths on the roads.
I don't believe the public sought these extra drinking hours. There is no point in comparing our opening hours with those of Europe, because we Irish consume twice as much booze as Europeans in half the time.
The politicians responsible should seriously rethink their policy. No doubt the Garda Síochána would appreciate this. Its members have been feeling the effects of this mistake by people who should have better sense. - Yours, etc.,
ROBERT WARD,
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Ashton,
Co Wicklow.