The recession may lead to higher rates of crime and alcohol consumption, it was warned today.
The Crime Victims Helpline says the link between unemployment and crime, especially property crime such as burglary, has been established by international research.
The helpline’s service co-ordinator, Maeve Ryan, said recession and unemployment mean that most people have less money at their disposal.
“The majority of people will deal with this by cutting expenditure and trying to cope in different ways. But there will be an inevitable rise in theft, robbery and burglary,” she said.
The drinks industry group Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society (Meas) warned the recession is also likely to lead to more home drinking.
A survey commissioned by Meas on the drinking habits of 18 to 29-year-olds found young people anticipated spending less on alcohol as a result of the economic downturn.
This is likely to lead to a growth in home drinking, according to Meas.
“When it comes to home drinking there is no set closing time, and there is no consistency in the drink measures being consumed,” chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan warned.
“Ireland doesn’t have a culture of regular moderate drinking - the daily glass of wine with dinner, just one or two beers - where the 18-29 demographic is concerned,” she said. “Larger amounts of alcohol, usually consumed on a couple of social gatherings, with Friday and Saturday predominating, is the prevailing pattern with this age cohort.”
Ms Sheehan said: “We need to continue to challenge the long-standing social permission we give in Ireland to excessive drinking.”
