Dublin Bans Drinking in Streets & Parks

D U B L I N, July 12, 2000 -- — Authorities in the Irish capital Dublinare set to ban people from drinking alcohol in streets andpublic places in a bid to curb rowdyism and clean up the citycenter.

The council has approved the measure that will become law inthe next month or so after a 30-day period between approval andintroduction.

Officials at Dublin Corporation said today that pubs,restaurants and hotels will be able to gain exemption from theban and continue to serve alcohol to guests sitting outdoors.

Contradiction Abounds

The Irish government last week relaxed licensing laws,allowing pubs to sell alcohol until 12:30 a.m. Thursdays,Fridays and Saturdays, 90 minutes later than under old rules.

Some of Dublin’s best known parks and open spaces — including St. Stephen’s Green and Phoenix Park — will not becovered by the public drinking ban because the country’s Officeof Public Works oversees them.

But Dublin Corporation will write to the office suggestingthat it enforces the ban in order to prevent open-air drinkersfrom congregating there.