Number of prosecutions for buying alcohol for juveniles drops by 66%

THE number of people prosecuted for buying alcohol for minors dropped by two-thirds last year, as drink-related offences by juveniles levelled off.

As a drinks industry lobby group launched a pre-St Patrick’s Day advertising campaign against underage drinking, provisional figures released by the Department of Justice reveal 25 people were convicted in 2004 of buying alcohol for minors.

Proceedings commenced against 42 people, down from 126 the previous year, when there were 74 prosecutions. The reason for the drop is unclear, though it is suggested greater awareness among the public and off-licence staff as well as the vigilance of gardaí on the ground have had an impact.