Felt pressurised to buy drink for youths

A 38-year-old man felt pressurised into buying drink for under-age youths, the district court has heard.

Stephen Wang, Rock Road, Blackrock, pleaded guilty to two counts of purchasing intoxicating liquor for delivery to persons under 18, at Main Street, Blackrock.

The dates in question were 16 June and 24 June, 2017.

The defendant has no previous convictions and has been in Ireland 12 years, his solicitor Ciarán Hughes said.

Sgt Vincent O’Connell gave evidence of being on mobile patrol in Beech Park, Blackrock, when he encountered a group of youths.

He brought them home to their parents, and there subsequently followed a complaint, which gardaí investivgated.

Sgt O’Connell explained it transpired the young people messaged Wang on Facebook to get them drink in shops in Blackrock. Mr Hughes added the young people were congregating outside the Chinese take-away where his client works part-time, earning €250 to €300 per-week.

They were pressurising him to buy them alcohol.

The take-away, it was pointed out to the court, doesn’t sell drink and has nothing to do with the case.

Wang is deeply apologetic, the solicitor continued.

Judge Coughlan imposed a €600 fine on one of the charges, taking the other into account, and giving six months to pay.

The defendant was granted legal aid.