Gardaí­ are closely monitoring outdoor drinking during good weather, says Justice Minister

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Gardaí are to crack down on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, the risk of which may be increased by the current spell of sunny weather.

Deputy Finian McGrath raised the matter with the Department of Justice and has been informed by Justice MInister Alan Shatter that “the Garda authorities are of course aware of the potential for anti-social behaviour during periods of good weather, and in particular in relation to the consumption of alcohol in public places, and I am further advised that additional resources are deployed where necessary to deal with this issue”.

“In particular, Operation IRENE, which is in place for the months of June, July and August, incorporates a range of policing actions to be implemented at identified locations, which with the advent of warmer weather and longer evenings may experience an upsurge in anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption,” said Minister Shatter.

“This is a targeted operation to combat under-age alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public spaces throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region, through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol as well as relevant public order legislation.”

Minister Shatter also said that “proactive mobile policing patrols are in place, focusing on urban centres, large open areas, public parks, harbour villages, coastal areas and key tourist locations to combat all forms of anti social behaviour, in particular drinking in public places”.