Cork puts 9pm curfew on outdoor drinkers

A CURFEW of 9pm has been imposed on people drinking at tables outside Cork city pubs because gardaí fear the street furniture involved could be used as weapons later in the night.

The development comes just months before Cork becomes European Capital of Culture.

Chief Superintendent Ray McAndrew said the move was in response to concerns about late-night public order, adding that the force was worried outdoor drinking areas could provide ready-made weapons for a drunken minority.