A leading youth organisation has called on off-licences to limit their opening hours and sale of drink on St Patrick's Day to prevent "serious alcohol misuse" on the public holiday.
On St Patrick's Day last year, 11 children were treated for alcohol poisoning in two Dublin hospitals, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin and Temple Street Children's Hospital.
Youth Work Ireland is asking off-licences and other alcohol retailers including pubs, supermarkets, convenience shops and petrol stations to stop alcohol sales for some or all of St Patrick's Day to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility.
The Government's Strategic Task Force on Alcohol had flagged the importance of availability and supply in the area of alcohol abuse, Michael McLoughlin of Youth Work Ireland said.
"While the law makes no provision for it, and it is only one part of a strategic approach to the issue, responsible behaviour by retailers and off-licences would have a significant impact on the spectacle that St Patrick's Day had become in previous years."
Given the lack of legislation in the area, organisations representing the drinks industry should issue a call for restrictions on the sale of alcohol on the national holiday next Saturday, Mr McLoughlin said. "The drinks industry has long claimed they are willing to act responsibly to combat alcohol abuse - this is a real chance for them to show it.
"Closure of outlets for some or all of St Patrick's Day would be highly symbolic. Failure of these organisations to take a lead will expose a real lack of commitment to responsibility in this area."
In 2005, the then lord mayor of Dublin, Michael Conaghan, led a campaign to restrict alcohol takeout sales before 6pm. Off-licence owners were asked to voluntarily keep their businesses closed during the parade.
However, their representative group, the National Off-Licences Association, said it would not issue such advice to members, and that they were under no legal obligation to close.
