New by-laws aim to combat public drinking
WEXFORD County Council are in the process of drafting new by-laws which it is hoped will aid gardaí in the policing of anti-social behaviour in public places.
The draft by-law will make it an offence to drink alcohol in a public place, away from a licenced premises. The first question raised about the laws from Cllr George Lawlor surrounded their implementation.
‘Will our wardens be enforcing this?’ he asked. ‘We do have some parks and areas where the consumption of alcohol is going on, but I can’t see a situation where our wardens will get involved. We can’t even handle dog fouling, I don’t envisage our wardens going into parks to enforce this.’
It was then explained that County Council wardens would merely notify the gardaí and it would be up to them to issue the fine. Amanda Byrne of the community department explained that the new by-law would have to go to public consultation and it could be late summer by the time it’s implemented.
‘We welcome the by-laws, but legislation of public order offences is already well managed,’ said Supt Jim Doyle.
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy took exception to this.
‘It’s not being managed, that’s why we need these by-laws,’ she said.
‘It can be very intimidating for members of the public walking by groups of people drinking on the street.’
It was further explained to members that, as things stand, if somebody is drinking but not causing any trouble, it is not an offence. An offence only occurs if somebody is visibly intoxicated in public. It was noted that a degree of common sense would have be taken in relation to people drinking outside pubs or at festivals.
Council officials were to continue working on the draft by-laws with gardaí before bringing it back before the council for approval.