Principal backs move encouraging parents to bring teenagers to the pub

A school principal is supporting a move by publicans to encourage parents to bring their older teenage children to the pub to show them how to drink responsibly.

John O’Donovan, of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion, Co Kerry, yesterday described the Vintners’ Federation (VFI) initiative as a good idea, saying it was “lovely” to bring families together socially in pubs.

Publicans in Cork and Kerry are planning to take part in a pilot project at Christmas whereby parents will be urged to bring their 18- and 19-year-olds to their premises.