Alcohol fuels 210 crimes every day

MORE THAN 210 alcohol-related crimes have been committed, on average, every day between February 2002 and August 2003, according to garda statistics.

A total of 118,000 offences were detected within that 18-month period by gardaí under Operation Encounter. However, the trend is downwards with almost 20% fewer offences between February and August 2003, compared with the same period in 2002.

"The number of overall offences is colossal, but the reduction is welcome. Operation Encounter is taking effect," said garda spokesman Superintendent John Farrelly. "But the reduction is from a very, very high level. There's still a huge amount of public disorder out there."