Off-licence group urgesteen drink crackdown

TOUGHER measures need to be introduced to combat underage drinking, the National Off-Licence Association (NOFLA) said yesterday.

The NOFLA annual conference heard that the growing problem of adults buying drink for teenagers can only be tackled if new laws, and stiffer penalties, are introduced.

According to NOFLA, which represents a third of all off-licenses in Ireland, around a dozen people have been prosecuted for the offence, but in all the charges were dropped because of technicalities.

“If we are serious about tackling this problem, we need to see the law implemented properly and new deterrents introduced,” said Richard Barry, spokesman for NOFLA.

“It is a growing problem in all parts of the country and we want to play our role in stamping it out and reducing underage drinking.

“We would call on the government to close the loop-holes that allow people to get off in court and to consider tougher measures, such as naming and shaming those found guilty and even custodial sentences for repeat offenders”.

No figures are available from the government for either the number of off-licenses prosecuted for selling drink to minors, or for people buying drink on their behalf.

Retailers at the NOFLA conference were given training in how to deal with underage customers and how to spot adults buying drink for them.

Mr Barry said growing levels of disposable income amongst teenagers contributed to the problem.

“Ten or 20 years ago young people didn’t have cash to the same extent that they do now,” he said.

“Today young people can be earning €150 a week from a part-time job, and in some cases they think that having that money means they can act like grown-ups.”

NOFLA represents 330 off licences across Ireland.