Pub watch scheme to tackle violence

By Sean O’Riordan

Monday, February 08, 2010

GARDAÍ have launched three pub watch schemes in an area of Co Cork, in a bid to cut down drink and drug-fuelled violence.

The schemes will operate in the Midleton, Carrigtwohill and Cloyne areas and are designed to ensure a quick response from gardaí to incidents of public order.

The idea for the project was mooted last November when 31 publicans from the greater Midleton area took part in drug and alcohol awareness training provided by the health promotion unit in HSE South.

The so-called Club County Cork Drug & Alcohol Awareness Training Programme was developed by the HSE in partnership with the gardaí and was funded by the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force.

HSE South Health promotion officer Aoife Ni Chonchuir, who coordinated the course, said it focused on real issues which arise in pubs and clubs and looks at identifying practical solutions to dealing with such issues.

The publicans of Midleton and surrounding areas wanted to establish Pub Watch and, as a result, local gardaí Sergeant Claire Kinnealy and Superintendent Flor Horan, helped to establish three schemes.

Tara McCarthy, co-owner Mill Wheel Bar in Midleton, is coordinating the scheme for the area; Eamonn Hartey of Hartey’s Bar and Restaurant is promoting the scheme in Cloyne, while Leo Spratt of Jack Spratt’s Bar is coordinating in Carrigtwohill.

Superintendent Horan welcomed the development of Pub Watch.

He said it would provide better communication between licensees and the gardaí and provides a forum to discuss and address problems relating to violence on licensed premises.

"It is great that the licensees have initiated this group themselves and clearly see that everyone can benefit from working together to tackle crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour. The key objective of the scheme is to reduce alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour," Supt Horan said.

Should breaches of public order take place in a venue, the scheme ensures that all premises will be notified quickly.

Tara McCarthy said the scheme brings the community of vintners together giving them a common mission as no vintner wants trouble in their venue.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 08, 2010