Pubs warned of underage drink danger after Junior Cert results

Publicans must be on their guard tonight to catch underage drinkers as more than 55,000 students celebrate their Junior Certificate results, it was warned.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland urged pub owners to only serve young people with legally acceptable identification.

Seamus O’Donoghue, president of the VFI, said: “A mandatory system of identification to assist publicans in accurately assessing a customer’s age must be introduced.”

Mr O’Donoghue said the 6,000 rural publicans, which it represents, would assist Justice Minister Michael McDowell in bringing in such a system.

A National Age Card, which was introduced in 2000, can be obtained from garda stations around the country but it is not mandatory.

Mr O’Donoghue said: “As publicans we promote sensible drinking in moderation and have already called for an outright ban on shot-type drinks.”

The VFI said it has been working hard to prevent the introduction of drinks specifically targeting young people.

“We are wholly against the practice of deep discounting ‘happy hours’ or any kind of drinks promotions that may encourage binge or excessive drinking,” Mr O’Donoghue said.