Harmful drinking ‘the norm’ in Ireland and causes three deaths every day

Harmful drinking “is the norm” in this country, according to new data released by the Health Research Board.

Dr Deirdre Mongan, the lead author of the report and a research officer at the HRB, said young drinkers, aged 18-24, have the most harmful habits in the country. The quantity they drink and the pattern of their drinking is putting them at increased health risk at a young age, and later in life, according to the study.

The research found alcohol is responsible for up to three deaths every day and that 50% of Irish drinking can be described as binge-drinking.