Gardai have targeted over 900 licensed premises suspected of selling alcohol to minors with “test purchases” since October 2010, according to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.
Minister Shatter said that he has been informed by the Gardaà that, from October 1, 2010 to April 23, 2013, there have been 937 “test purchases” at licensed premises with 120 proceedings commenced and 12 convictions recorded.
Section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 allows for the test purchasing of alcohol products. Minister Shatter said that “the primary objective of the scheme… is to enable An Garda SÃochána to target those licensed premises which are suspected of engaging in illegal sales of alcohol to young people”.
Minister Shatter outlined the extent of the Garda operations in a written response to a question from Deputy Tommy Broughan, who had asked the Justice Minister:
“The number of test purchases which have been undertaken by An Garda SÃochána under section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 since the launch of the guidelines on 1 October 2010; the number of successful convictions which have arisen from test purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
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