Ireland - Dublin council in drinking clampdown

[Coconut]

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Originally Posted by RTÉ

Dublin council in drinking clampdown

Tuesday, 2 September 2008 10:49

Further measures aimed at clamping down on drinking in public places are to be introduced by Dublin City Council.

The council has changed its draft development plan and by-laws.

New planning restrictions will make it tougher to get planning permission for off-licences, or shops with part off-licences.

The by-law changes mean the definition of public places will now include riverbanks, canal banks and the boardwalk on the river Liffey.

It comes as gardaí will today display the alcohol confiscated since the introduction of new laws aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour.

The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 came into operation on 30 July and enables gardaí to seize alcohol from people under 18 years of age, and from adults in possession of alcohol in a public place.

It is understood around 14,000 drink cans and bottles have been seized and that the new law is helping gardaí respond more effectively to calls about anti-social behaviour and public order issues in parks and other recreational areas.

All of these laws to "curb anti-social behaviour"... does anyone else see this is absolutely pointless?

[PingoTango]

It comes as gardaí will today display the alcohol confiscated since the introduction of new laws

Have I woken up in the 1920s?

[Nature Boy]

I'm getting a greyscale moving image of liquor bottles being shot with tommyguns in my head. This is indeed a lot like Capone-era alcohol prohibition.

[Lunar Loops]

Here is more on the same from the Irish Times (article link):

Gardaí display alcohol seized under new rules

ALISON HEALY
Gardaí have displayed up to 2,000 cans and bottles of alcohol seized over three weekends in the greater Dublin area.
The value of the seizures is estimated at €5,000. Alcohol seized included well-known brands such as Budweiser and Guinness as well as budget-priced drinks such as Dutch Gold and Buckfast.
Inspector Patrick McMenamin from Pearse Street Garda station said the alcohol was seized following the introduction of new powers provided by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 which came into operation on July 30th.
It allows gardaí to seize alcohol from under 18-year-olds, or from adults in possession of alcohol in a public place. The cans and bottles were confiscated in more than 700 seizures with 25 per cent being taken from under 18-year-olds. “The remainder would have been taken from adults. We’d be satisfied that some of that would have been destined for young people,” he said.
The alcohol was seized in streets, car parks, public amenities and laneways, he said. Insp McMenamin said the drink had been bought legitimately but he did not single out any particular form of retail outlet for supplying the seized alcohol. He said the cans and bottles would be disposed of by Dublin City Council in an environmentally friendly way.
Insp McMenamin said these new powers would help gardaí in their policing of underage drinking often associated with the celebrations following the release of Junior Cert results.
“An Garda Síochána, while playing our part, would also appeal to parents and adults who are minded to supply alcohol to young people that they have responsibilities too. Gardaí will continue to use these powers as we work with communities to ensure safer communities for everyone,” he said.