Test buyers’ call to expose off-licences

There has been a fresh call for the use of underage "test buyers" to expose off-licences selling alcohol to teenagers, as latest figures showed that 210 off-licences have been temporarily closed for the offence since 2003.

The 210 temporary closure orders were issued in the period from 2003 up to the end of April this year, and were issued under the Intoxicating Liquor Acts for offences relating to the sale and supply of alcohol to, and consumption by, persons under 18.

The former head of the government-appointed Alcohol Advisory Group, Dr Gordon Holmes, renewed his call for test buyers, claiming it would act as "a deterrent" to those in the industry.

Detection and prosecution rates have been low, with the most recent data available from the Central Statistics Office showing that in 2008 there was only one detected and prosecuted offence of sale of intoxicating liquor to under 18-year-olds. Figures for the previous four years in that category were not available.

Also in 2008 there were just four recorded cases of provision of intoxicating liquor to under 18-year-olds, and 58 of purchase or consumption of alcohol by under 18-year-olds.

Figures for 2009 are currently being compiled.

In answering a recent parliamentary question, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said almost 615,000 offences have been detected since the commencement in 2002 of Operation Encounter, which targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour against the community and local businesses, including the sale and consumption of alcohol by those who are underage.

But Dr Holmes said of the idea of test buyers: "I would very much support it."

He said that the task of penalising off-licences that break the law in selling drink to people underage was difficult due to the lack of witnesses, adding: "One of our problems is the problem of resources."

He said any test buyers could not visit off-licences in areas where they lived.

The Alcohol Advisory Group, which issued a report and then disbanded, mooted the idea two years ago and Dr Holmes said it still had merit. "People will not take a chance if there is a real chance of being detected," he said.

Source: Noel Baker, The Irish Examiner, 07/06/2010