Drink-related violence claims 30 victims each day

More than 30 people become victims of alcohol-related assaults in Ireland every day, according to figures released by gardai.

Since the launch of Operation Encounter in February, the Gardai recorded 7,274 assaults, 1,266 of them causing harm.

There were also 3,276 cases of disorderly conduct and 14,314 incidents of people using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

In total, 57,000 suspected public order offences were detected in the last seven months, an average of more than 240 every day.

The latest garda figures also include the number of publicans and off-licence owners prosecuted for illegally selling alcohol to minors since the introduction of Operation Encounter.

The problem appears to be worst in the Western Division (Clare, Galway, Roscommon), with 131 prosecutions and 82 convictions.

The Southern Division (Cork, Kerry, Limerick) brought 88 prosecutions and secured 43 convictions, while there were just 45 prosecutions and eight convictions in the Dublin Metropolitan area.