A&E units brace for Paddy’s Day binge

Claire O’Sullivan

Already, staff at overcrowded A&Es expect today will be like “a busy Friday night” with heavy drinking leading to car crashes, injuries and fighting.

“The last three years have seen a very big increase in the volume of patients on St Patrick’s Day and we don’t see why this year will be any different,” said Mater Hospital A&E consultant Eamonn Brazil. “Any efforts being made to curb the culture of binge drinking just don’t seem to be working and the Tánaiste’s 10-point plan isn’t making any difference either to the numbers on trolleys.”