Alcohol kills over 1,300 each year across Ireland

Alcohol claims the lives of more than 1,300 people each year across Ireland, health chiefs holding a cross-border conference on the problem confirmed.

While the figures relate to deaths caused directly by drink, officials said alcohol has a much wider impact and costs governments in both parts of Ireland billions every year.

Health Ministers Dr James Reilly and Edwin Poots opened the first North-South conference on the issue, with policymakers pledging to work together to tackle the problem.