Lifeguards may get power to seize alcohol on beaches

Lifeguards, as well as gardaí, may soon have the power to seize alcohol from rowdy crowds on beaches in the west.

New bye-laws have been drafted to provide more wide-ranging powers in response to repeated incidents of loutish behaviour and vast numbers of beer cans left behind on beaches and green areas in Galway during the summer months.

Solicitor and Galway City Councillor Peter Keane has drafted the bye-laws which will now go before a full meeting of the City Council for endorsement.

It is understood they will allow for alcohol to be seized from people causing problems on a beach or on the street.

While there is no national legislation prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in public, each local authority can pass bye-laws restricting the consumption of alcohol in public areas.

Gardaí in Galway have had to rely on bye-laws dating back to 1998 in order to deal with the issue, but these do not allow them to seize alcohol and destroy it. They are obliged to rely on public order legislation to seize alcohol in the event of someone carrying drink and causing a problem in public.

Councillor Keane said that his bye-laws would provide certain parties with more power to prevent drinking in designated public places as a means of stamping out anti-social behaviour.

It was not a case of being ‘kill-joys’ but rather a matter of respect for everyone who wanted to enjoy the environment in Galway.

The Galway City Joint Policing Committee which discussed the issue has now unanimously recommended that the proposed bye-laws be brought for consideration to Galway City Council.