In the period from July 30th, when the new drink laws came into effect, until September 15th, a total of 1,370 incidents of drunkenness were recorded.
This constitutes a reduction of 25 per cent compared with the figure of 1,822 incidents for the same period last year.
The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 made "theatre licences" subject to the prohibited hours' provisions for the sale and consumption of alcohol.
The Act also introduced new prohibited hours for off-licences and new conditions for the issuing of off-licence and theatre licences. Provision is also made to seize alcohol and to issue Fixed Charge Penalty Notices for certain offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
Commenting on the figures, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said: "These are early days in relation to the impact of the new drink laws but everyone who is concerned about public drunkenness will be heartened by this significant decease and the indications are that there may have been a smaller decrease in street assaults.
"There had been criticism of the Government's decision to end the theatre licence loophole and have a uniform closing time of 2.30am. Gardaí believed a standard closing time would be beneficial and I hope we are witnessing the first impact of this now.
"The law-abiding citizens of this country are entitled to safer streets - free of drunken behaviour. With the help of the gardaí and a more responsible attitude to drinking, we can continue to make progress in this area," the Minister said.
Source: DEAGLÁN DE BRÉADÚN, The Irish Times, 06/10/2008.
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