Alcohol bill 'likely' to fuel violence and public intoxication

Ireland is among the top 10 EU countries in terms of heavy episodic drinking, per-capita consumption and a variety of alcohol-related problems.

Ireland is “very likely” to experience more violence on the street and in the home, as well as higher levels of hospital emergencies, if proposed licensing laws are passed, a leading international expert has warned.

Professor Tom Babor said for Ireland to avoid the “epidemics of public intoxication” seen in other countries that have promoted their nighttime economy, it needs to revise the laws.