A district court judge has criticised publicans who continue to serve people who are drunk and warned that he intends to get tough with licencees who act irresponsibly.
Judge John Neilan was speaking at Tullamore District Court yesterday after hearing the case of a 23-year-old man from Clara, Co Offaly, who was stripped to the waist and looking for trouble at 3 a.m.
"What licensee sold him the drink? " asked Judge Neilan.
Colin Rickard, Silverdale, Clara, was fined a total of €1,100 after being convicted of being drunk and disorderly at The Square, Clara, on the morning of October 30th and for failing to leave the scene when requested to do so by gardaí.
In another drink-related case before yesterday's sitting of the court, Judge Neilan instructed a Birr, Co Offaly man, who was "wandering aimlessly about the roads when drunk", to "do your drinking" nearer home.
Judge Neilan gave the instruction to Pat Creaven, Syngefield, Birr.
The court heard that Mr Creaven was a danger to traffic when he was walking home from a pub on August 8th.
When gardaí came along and asked his name, he said if they were not going to give him a lift home, they could "eff off". Judge Neilan told Mr Creaven: "Do your drinking in Birr. Don't be coming over to my area, because it will be cheaper over there."
Mr Creaven replied: "I'll do that." He was fined a total of €550.