Since the on-street drinking ban was introduced in Letterkenny over ten years ago through Town Council bye-laws only two prosecutions have been brought before the courts, and these related to the same individual.
The issue was raised at a public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee in Letterkenny where Councillor Gerry McMonagle drew on a recent occurence in Glencar. He explained that last weekend a number of youths congregated at the Eight Acres Green, behind the shopping centre in Glencar and spent the weekend drinking.
Cllr McMonagle explained further: "This morning I saw what was left of this weekend drinking and it was shocking. There were boxes, cans, broken bottles. It was not a pretty sight in a pretty area. This was obviously a party which lasted all weekend, where the large number congregated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights."
Cllr McMonagle continued: "There is a blind-eye being turned to the on-street drinking bye-laws and this can not be tolerated.
Former Councillor PJ Blake who was instrumental in the on-street drinking bye-laws being implemented commented: "The issue of on-street drinking was addressed a number of years ago and yet only two convictions have been brought against the same individual who could be got on any day of the week."
He continued: "This is particularly taking place in areas like the Oldtown or the Market Square, which is meant to be a show-piece for the entire community."
Mr Blake continued: "Gardai say that on-street drinking is being dealt with under the Public Order Act where offenders are fined between ¤50 and ¤150. But more of a deterrent lies in the bye-laws laid down by the Council which support a specific fine of ¤635."
In response, Superintendent Vincent O'Brien commented: "Every weekend there are dozens of seizures when people are found drinking on the street and these are always dealt with on-the-spot by gardai under the Juvenile Liaison Scheme and the Adult Cautioning Scheme."
Superintendent O'Brien also stressed the need for places involved in the sale of alcohol to shoulder their part of the responsibility.
"I would appeal to all off-licences and shops selling alcohol not to sell alcohol to those under the age of 18. Even if young people over the age of 18 are coming in and buying large consignments of alcohol you must question whether or not it is going to be sold on to younger people."
The superintendent continued: "It is also of great importance for general members of the public to alert gardai if they see alcohol being sold to young people. Let us know where they are and where it is being sold so that we can go and investigate."
Superintendent Vincent O'Brien also expressed the need for a multi-agency approach to tackling underage-drinking and anti-social behaviour.
"Anti-social behaviour is not something you can simply tie down to one area. It moves from place to place dependant on where young people gather. But young people congregating in Letterkenny is not a problem that gardai alone can tackle. We need a multi-agency approach, including involvement of the local community."
