Teachers highlight drink dangers

Teachers' unions and drinks industry bodies have called on publicans and off-licence retailers to be careful they do not sell alcohol to under-age students following the publication of Junior Certificate results today.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said that off-licence owners need to be particularly cautious about selling alcohol to young people.

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (Digi), the representative body for companies and organisations involved in the manufacture and sale of alcohol in Ireland, and Meas, a group set up by the drinks industry to promote responsible attitudes to alcohol, have also called on retailers to be vigilant.

A Garda spokeswoman said retailers should use "ordinary common sense and be mindful" that under-age people may try to buy alcohol tonight.

Paddy Healy, president of TUI, said vintners have made considerable progress in recent years in ensuring their members do not facilitate under-age drinking on Junior Cert night, but the off-licence trade is more difficult to police.

"Anecdotal evidence shows that under-age drinkers are experiencing more success obtaining alcohol this way," he said. "Extreme caution should be used by those who own and work in off-licence businesses, and where there is the slightest doubt about age, staff should refuse to serve."

Sheila Parsons, president of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (Asti), said that while students have a right to celebrate, they should do so in an age-appropriate way.

Chairman of Digi, Richard Dunne, said the release of Junior Certificate results can lead to a significant increase in the incidence of under-age people trying to gain admission to bars and nightclubs or trying to buy alcohol from off-licences. He urged adults not to buy alcohol for young people.

The chief executive of Meas, Fionnuala Sheehan, said research it commissioned last year shows that many parents are unsure how to tackle the issue of alcohol use with their teenage children.

Fianna Fáil southwest Dublin deputy Charlie O'Connor said parents, bars, off-licences and the Garda all have a role to play.

"I will be asking senior gardaí to ensure there is a highly visible presence by the force during the celebrations," he said.