According to organisers of teenage discos, gardaí take a different approach in different parts of the country to the legality of such events in licensed premises where the bar is closed.
Mr Éamonn Doyle of the No Name club, which specialises in organising alcohol-free events, said it had highlighted the problem to the Minister when the legislation was published last year. It received written assurances that under-age discos in licensed premises were legal if the bar area was closed.
However, in recent weeks a number of clubs had experienced difficulties. In Co Galway gardaí have been adopting a strict approach to the law, according to Mr Paul Connaughton TD (FG).
Gardaí also adopted a strict approach in Wexford, where a prosecution was taken against Mr Francis Dooley, owner of the Beacon nightclub, who holds weekly teenage alcohol-free events on his premises.
In Dublin the Pod nightclub was forced to cancel alcohol-free teenage events because of warnings from gardaí, while Old Wesley Rugby Club cancelled a disco to celebrate the Junior Cert results because of a similar warning. The problem in Dublin has meant that, as of last night, there is only one major alcohol-free event for Junior Cert revellers next week in Liberty Hall, and it is sold out.