Alcoholics Anonymous Reviews

In objecting to the renewal of the Coach Inn's liquor licence Banbridge police chief Christine McCullough highlighted a problem society too easily ignores, a problem that begins with parents.

That's according to Magistrate Eamon King, who commended Chief Inspector McCullough for drawing attention to society's serious problem with alcohol.

As he ruled that the Coach Inn should keep its liquor licence, at least until September, Mr. King said it was clear to him the issue he was addressing was one encountered weekly in towns across Northern Ireland.

"The issue," he said, "is that as a society we have a serious and worsening problem with alcohol.

"It is a problem that has developed over a number of years and until now, by and large, we have lacked the conviction to do something about it, either through the cost of alcohol, binge-drinking or public order offences.

"It is our public duty to confront these abuses in an effective manner. Leadership is an important component in the process of change and in lodging this objection I commend the actions of the local district commander and the community for focusing society's attention on a problem we all too conveniently tend to ignore."

The problem, said Mr. King, started with parents who allowed their under-age children to set off to nightclubs equipped with fake identification, but he pointed out there were other factors involved.

"These children purchase their cheap alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences," he said, "sometimes at below cost or as a special offer, and then travel by bus to nightclubs throughout Northern Ireland."

The Magistrate said the bus companies allowed the consumption of alcohol on the buses and by the time the young people arrived at the nightclub many had already consumed a substantial amount of drink.

"It is little wonder then that the police have to deal with drunkenness, obscenity, anti-social behaviour and even violence," he said. "Licence-holders of premises such as The Coach Inn have a duty to conduct their business in a manner not to cause undue inconvenience to persons residing in their vicinity and if they don't then the court must not hesitate to use its power to revoke or alter or attach conditions to that licence in the public interest."

Banbridge Today