Town to ban drinking on streets in bid to curb loutish drunken behaviour

STREET-DRINKING is to be banned in a West Cork town to curb loutish and drunken behaviour.

Clonakilty, which recently suffered a highly publicised night of violence and mayhem, will take the step shortly.

Peter Walsh, the mayor of Clonakilty, said the bylaw would be introduced shortly, and came as a result of a recommendation by a council sub-committee which deals with public disorder.

“This will give the gardaí powers to confiscate drink from individuals and prosecute uncooperative and repeat offenders. The purpose is to curb abuse of drink and unwelcome behaviour,” Mr Walsh said.

“It will also help gardaí to prevent individuals from walking the streets with glasses, cans etc and therefore keep alcohol consumption within licensed premises where it can be controlled,” he added.

In addition Mr Walsh said an application has been made for CCTV and dialogue with chip shop owners has resulted in enforcement of closing times.

The town council’s engineer is in talks with the ESB to put in additional lighting in the park and local vintners have introduced a bar watch scheme.

“Although there may be cynics around the reality is that few, if any incidents occur within their premises. Clonakilty pubs have won national honours and most are run by families who have a tradition of service.”

He said he wanted to assure the public that the town council will do everything in its power to create a safe environment.

“Where we do not have control is over an individual’s desire to deliberately and consciously cause a public order offence,” he added.