Off-licences to close at 10pm under new laws

New laws curbing the opening hours of off-licences have come into force today as part of a range of measures to tackle excessive drinking.

Off-licences will not be allowed to sell alcohol after 10pm, while supermarkets and convenience stores will only be allowed to sell alcohol in areas separate from other products.

Gardaí will also have the power to seize alcohol if they suspect someone may breach public order and to issue fixed fines to drunken people engaged in disorderly conduct.

The new laws are part of government efforts to tackle excessive drinking and related public order offences by restricting the availability of alcohol.