Press Release – O’Gorman welcomes refusal of full liquor licence for Laurel Lodge

27/06/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the decision of the District Court not to grant a full liquor licence to a shop in Laurel Lodge. He was speaking outside the Richmond District Court after the decision was made.

“I believe that the correct decision has been made in this instance. There is huge concern locally about the abuse of alcohol by young people, which is felt by parents, teachers and the Gardai”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“The judge looked at S.18 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000 which states that a full liquor licence may be refused if the area is adequately provided for by other off licences. One of the barristers involved made the somewhat bizarre claim that there were actually not enough off-licences in the Castleknock – Blanchardstown area. However, the evidence from local Gardai and a concerned local resident convinced the judge that there was an adequate number of premises in the area selling alcohol and as such, the licence was refused”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Press Release – Alcohol advisory group should target drinks advertising, not the legal drinking age – O’Gorman

12/01/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice that he has established an Alcohol Advisory Group to look at the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ireland. However, he has also urged that the Group should focus on issues such as advertising by the Drinks Industry and enforcement, rather than increasing the legal age for buying alcohol.

“I’m delighted that the Minister for Justice has set up this new Alcohol Advisory Group and also that it has been given a rapid timeframe within which to report. In negotiating the Programme for Government, the Green Party secured a number of significant commitments regarding dealing with binge drinking and it is essential that these are implemented quickly”, stated Roderic O’Gorman

“However, I am concerned by comments from the Minister that he is thinking of raising the legal age for the purchase of alcohol in certain establishments. I do not think that such a measure will in any way tackle the root causes of alcohol abuse in Ireland. Even when the legal age for buying alcohol is 18, we all know that persons under that age are able to obtain drink if they really want to. Raising the age to 21 will make no substantial difference”.

“I would urge the new Alcohol Advisory Group to focus on two areas. Firstly, I believe we need to restrict the advertising of alcohol. How can we seriously impact upon the drinking culture in Ireland when alcohol is portrayed through advertising and the sponsorship of sporting events as a vital ingredient for a good social life?”

“Secondly, there needs to be stricter enforcement of Section 4 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2003. This makes it an offence for alcohol to be sold to someone who is already intoxicated. Far too often, pubs and off-licences are serving people who are clearly drunk”.

“I hope the Alcohol Advisory Group will deal with these two crucial issues in its report. Addressing these will go much further to tackling binge drinking in this country than raising the drinking age”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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