No public drinking fines issued in two years
A senior council official admitted yesterday that despite the legislation, which was adopted in mid-2004, no fines had been issued anywhere in the county.
Maurice Manning, the council’s acting head of corporate affairs, made the admission after Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Deirdre Forde said she had met with gardaí who are very concerned about the matter.
“On making inquiries I found that not one fine had been issued. I spoke to gardaí who told me that the council had yet to issue them with fine books,” Cllr Forde said.
She added that the level of drinking among young people and other anti-social behaviour was of growing concern.
Ms Forde was supported by her party colleague, Cllr Aindrias Moynihan. “If we have problems we need to take action on them,” he said.
Cllr Derry Canty (FG) said he was told by gardaí that they didn’t even have copies of the bylaws in their own barracks.
“There seems to be a breakdown in communication. The point is we have passed it (the by-laws) at council level,” Mr Canty said.
Cllr Tim Lombard said that in several areas of south Cork, especially in Carrigaline, young people drinking in public places was a big problem.
However, he added that he was also concerned at planning laws which were allowing the creation of more and more off-licences.
“It’s unacceptable that we have off-licences turning up in every second sweet shop,” the FG councillor said.
Cllr Gerry Kelly (FG) said that at present gardaí were confiscating “booze” from young people and taking them home to their parents.
“The litter act (€130 fine) could also be brought to bear,” Mr Kelly said.
Cllr Aileen Pyne (FG) said a lot of red tape had to be gone through to get the bylaws adopted and she was aghast that not one fine had been issued. An on-the-spot fine is €30 and, if not paid, it can be increased in the district court to a maximum of €650.
Mr Manning admitted there had been “some confusion” between council staff and the gardaí about implementing the bylaws.
“We have been in discussions for the last few weeks. It is in place and it will be implemented,” he said.
