Drunk behaviour ‘tarnished image’

DRUNKEN behaviour in the streets on St Patrick’s Day has tarnished the reputation of Dublin, the Lord Mayor claimed yesterday.

Michael Conaghan called for off-licences to remain closed until 6pm on March 17 in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last year’s scenes.

Mr Conaghan held a meeting today with Jim McCabe, vice chairman of the National Off-Licence Association and Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners’ Association, in a bid to get their support for the plan.

Speaking after the meeting, the Lord Mayor said the conversation had been positive.

“We were talking about the huge concern about last year on our national day, which is a big day for the city, when people come to celebrate arts and culture,” he said.

He said that St Patrick’s Day was a popular festival for families and that the council had received scores of requests from people to crackdown on drunkenness.

“The enjoyment of all at the events were marred last year by excessive drinking on the streets, and by unpleasantness in the sense of menace, and that’s not what the day is about,” he said.

“The image and reputation of the city is being tarnished.”

Mr Conaghan said he believed that keeping the off-licences closed until 6pm would make a major contribution to tackling the minority of people who caused problems.

“Drinks sold in off-licences will be consumed on the street, directly in conflict with other businesses and sense of enjoyment which people come to see.

“You can’t convert people overnight but you certainly have to take some steps for the greater good of the city and the people who come to enjoy themselves,” he said.