Zero tolerance urged on illegal street drinking

Business leaders have called for zero tolerance on illegal street drinking in Cork City amid concern that it could damage tourism.

The chief executives of both Cork Business Association (CBA) and Cork Chamber say they want a non-street drinking bylaw adopted by the city council in 2001 more rigorously enforced.

Last year 179 on-the-spot fines were issued to people for breaching the bylaw. Of those, 128 were paid and the remainder will be processed by the courts.

CBA chief executive Donal Healy, who chairs the City Centre Community Safety Forum — which aims to make Cork a more pleasant and safe place in which to live — said they were working closely with the city council and the gardaí “to ensure that the city maintains its friendly, clean and welcoming reputation”.

“We want zero tolerance on street drinking. Cork like many other cities has incidents of drink and drug abuse.

“Unfortunately, there are cases where gangs of youths are congregating in areas and drinking and this can be very intimidating to visitors and city residents alike,” Mr Healy said.

He said he had been made aware that some people were trying to disguise the fact they are drinking alcohol by “putting it in branded water containers.”

“If needs be, we will have to ask the gardaí to check this out. Unfortunately, we also have a situation where irresponsible adults are going into off-licences and buying alcohol for those underage. This will also have to be stamped out,” the CBA chief executive said.

Meanwhile, Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy echoed his sentiments. “The antisocial behaviour caused by street drinking is unacceptable in a modern city,” Mr Healy said.

Gardaí will have to ensure its impact is kept to a minimum. Cork is beginning to develop as a significant centre for tourism and we will have to ensure that is not undermined by such behaviour,” Mr Healy said.