Nanny state won’t end drink-fuelled crime

IN the wake of the recent murder of two Polish men in Dublin, among other alcohol-fuelled violent crimes, there have been calls from the HSE to curtail the availability of alcohol in supermarkets and petrol stations.

The Taoiseach has reacted by promising to ban all special offers on alcohol and cut back the opening hours of late night venues.

Surely this has to be seen as a knee-jerk reaction to a problem that has been spiralling out of control for years.

No one denies there is a problem with alcohol consumption in this country, but why should everyone suffer because of this?

Banning special offers will not prevent young people from getting their hands on alcohol but instead add more expense for those who drink responsibly. Cutting back opening hours is backtracking on the move a few years ago towards a more continental-style social scene where pubs and nightclubs have later opening hours.

Late-night pub opening on Thursdays has already been reversed without giving it a real chance because of absenteeism from work on Fridays.

Cultural changes do not happen overnight. Education needs to come from the home and school. Other European countries have alcohol available around the clock at a fraction of the price we pay for it here and they don’t have our problems as a result. It’s time to end the nanny state and start reacting positively to our social problems.

Richard Leahy

Daffodil Fields

Poulavone

Ballincollig

Co Cork