Children as young as 10 years of age were treated in hospital for the effects of alcohol abuse following last week's Hallowe'en festivities in Derry.
Medical staff at Altnagelvin Hospital's accident and emergency department said yesterday they had their busiest Hallowe'en night ever, treating 55 patients between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.
A consultant, Mr James Steele, said the figures were alarming and he called on the organisers of future city centre festivals to plan for the proper dispersal of revellers after the functions they attended had ended.
"Most of the injuries were glass related, people being struck about the head with bottles and glasses," Mr Steele said.
"However, the accident and emergency staff were shocked by the numbers of young children they had to deal with who were treated for the effects of alcohol. Imagine treating about half a dozen children between the ages of 10 and 14 for alcohol related problems. This happened from 9 p.m. right through to the early hours of the following morning."