Recorded offences linked to alcohol sale falls

The number of recorded offences linked to sale and supply of alcohol has plummeted according to new figures, leading to fresh fears that gardaí do not have adequate resources to police it.

New figures provided by the CSO to the Irish Examiner show the number of recorded liquor offences has fallen from 3,285 in 2009 to 2,343 last year.

The largest category, liquor licensing offences, saw a fall in recorded cases from 2,827 in 2009 to 1,639 last year. That includes offences from illegal opening times to disorderly conduct, and can also include offences related to the selling, buying and provision of alcohol to people who are underage.