This article is from page 14 of the 2006-10-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
KILRUSH Town Council has decided to unearth a forgotten by-law in an attempt to curb anti-social drinking on the streets of the west Clare capital.
A by-law banning the consumption of alcohol in public places in the town has never been enforced, according to councillors.
At this month’s meeting of the council, Cllr Marian McMahon-Jones (FG) called for a law to be introduced that would control and regulate the consumption of intoxicating substances in a public place. The councillor made the call after she was informed of an incident where three men sat in the playground drinking alcohol while children played nearby.
“If that was younger people, there would be gardaí on to them immediately,” she said.
The councillor was surprised to be informed that a by-law outlawing such activity had already been passed by the council a number of years previously. “I feel they are already on the books and they were never enforced,” said Cllr Christy O’Malley (FF).
Cllr Tom Prenderville (FF) said, while the council adopted the by-laws, it was a matter for the Garda to implement them.
The town manager and director of services Bernadette Kinsella told the members that the executive could “unearth” the byelaws.
Councillor and local publican Liam O’Looney (FF) told the members that, as a result of public drinking in Kilrush, “We got a very bad negative reaction from tourists. Some I know pulled out of town,” he said.
The council are to invite the local Garda superintendent to address the next meeting.