PRESS RELEASE

Underage Drinking Loophole Must Be Clarified - Billy Kelleher T.D.

" The decision of a judge to dismiss a case for underage drinking due to an alleged loophole in the Intoxicating Liquor Act must be examined and clarified immediately, so that no underage drinkers or those who supply them can get away with it," said Cork North Central Deputy Billy Kelleher. "Underage drinking is a very serious problem and we have waged a serious campaign against it. New measures mean tough penalties for those who supply drink to minors. The intoxicating liquor act absolutely forbids the sale of alcohol to minors under any circumstances, yet this case throws it into question," said Deputy Kelleher. "There needs to be clarification on this issue. A person under the age of eighteen should not even be on the premises of an off licence let alone to purchase alcohol. There must be no excuses or loopholes," he added. "The sight of underage people drinking on our streets is an extremely disturbing one. The legislation is in place to tackle this and everyone must be aware of it," concluded Billy Kelleher T.D.