A scheme that has successfully helped tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour at two of Northern Ireland’s largest festivals was widened today.
Bars and clubs in the Derry City Council area agreed a united approach to the forms of ID that could be used by younger drinkers to prove they are over 18.
The scheme has helped ensure major festivals in the city around Halloween and St Patrick’s Day have seen a drop in underage drinking and become more family friendly.
Now the project has been widened to include an ID card used by young people in the Republic.
The city’s Mayor Gerard Diver said: “The original ID scheme was introduced as just one step in the action to address the city’s unjustified image in relation to alcohol.
“It was designed to make it easier for responsible licensed premises to identify those people who are ineligible to buy alcohol.”
The ‘Only 5’ initiative advertises the five types of ID that can be used as proof of age.
The scheme was widened to include the National Age Card of Ireland used in the Republic to help the licensed trade combat underage drinking.
The initiative is one of a series of moves that has helped reduce problems at the high-profile Halloween and St Patrick’s Day festivals in the city.
PA