Gardaí are to crack down on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, the risk of which may be increased by the current spell of sunny weather.

Deputy Finian McGrath raised the matter with the Department of Justice and has been informed by Justice MInister Alan Shatter that “the Garda authorities are of course aware of the potential for anti-social behaviour during periods of good weather, and in particular in relation to the consumption of alcohol in public places, and I am further advised that additional resources are deployed where necessary to deal with this issue”.

“In particular, Operation IRENE, which is in place for the months of June, July and August, incorporates a range of policing actions to be implemented at identified locations, which with the advent of warmer weather and longer evenings may experience an upsurge in anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption,” said Minister Shatter......