Gardaí expected to oppose late licenses for Dublin clubs

The Gardaí are expected to lodge objections to the granting of late licenses for a number of theatres and nightclubs in Dublin later today.

Officers are expected to oppose the licenses in the courts for public order reasons.

The licenses allow some clubs to remain open up until 3.30am, but the Gardaí want this brought back to 1.30am in some cases in an effort to curb street violence and drunkenness.

The move has caused anger among clubbers, who have collected 7,000 signatures on an internet petition opposing the garda plans.

Meanwhile, Progressive Democrats Senator Tom Morrisey has said that well-run nightclubs should be allowed to retain their late licenses.

Mr Morrisey said people were entitled to a degree of freedom to enjoy themselves and any move to force clubs to close early would lead to a growth in "underground" drinking that would create even greater headaches for the Gardaí.