Public drinkers face €75 spot fine

PEOPLE found drinking in public places in Limerick now face a €75 on-the-spot fine, as a result of a bylaw introduced by city council.

Drinking in public places has been prohibited for some time, but due to a gap in the law, gardaí were limited in what they could do with offenders.

The head of the Limerick Garda division, Chief Supt David Sheahan, had called for an amendment to the intoxicating liquor bylaws to give gardaí greater powers in Limerick to stamp out drinking in public places. He said extra powers were needed to enable gardaí to tackle alcohol-related crime and maintain public order on the streets.