Plan to let pubs open until 2am at weekends

PUBS may be allowed to stay open until 2am on weekends as part of a radical shake-up in licensing laws to be unveiled later this year.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell wants to give local authorities the power to set pub closing times within a window of 11pm until 2am.

He says it would allow communities to help curb late-night violence, or allow publicans meet greater demand for alcohol in popular tourism spots.