New measures from Dublin City Council will see on-the-spot fines imposed on people caught drinking on the city's streets. And offenders who refuse to give their proper name and address to gardai could face fines of up to €1,900. The measures, agreed by city councillors last night, are designed to curb the problem of drinking on city streets, in parks and on beaches. They will be put out for public consultation for one month, and some minor changes may be made before they come into effect on September 1. The bylaws apply to any public place within the Dublin city council area, and also allow gardai to confiscate alcohol.
People who refuse to move on can be handed an immediate fine of €75, three times the current amount, which can be increased to €1,900 if convicted in a district court. The by-laws also say that where a person refuses to give a name and address, or provides one which is "false or misleading", a fine of up to €1,900 can be imposed.
Under existing legislation, gardai can only seize alcohol from minors, but from September they will be able to seize it from adults. The laws have been welcomed by Labour councillor Sean Kenny, who said they would allow "law-abiding" citizens to enjoy public amenities.
"As St Anne's Park, the Bull Island and Dollymount Strand are in my northside constituency, I believe that the new bylaws, when implem- ented, will reclaim these amenities for law-abiding citizens" he said.
"At present, many of the city's public parks cannot be used for leisure, or recreation because of the level of anti-social behaviour arising from the consumption of alcohol."
The new laws were introduced after concerns about anti-social behaviour were raised by the Dublin city joint policing committee.
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