Sir, – Noel Byrne (Letters, May 27th) proposes banning alcohol at airports and flights because a vanishingly small number of people drink irresponsibly.
Why stop there? Let’s ban alcohol sales at pubs because people will occasionally have one too many and do things that they later regret. Let’s ban alcohol sales at sporting events and concerts because full bladders result in long queues for the bathrooms.
While we’re at it, let’s ban alcohol sales at supermarkets because the retail space could be put to much better use selling additional fruit and vegetables.
Who needs alcohol anyway? – Yours, etc,
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RICHARD BANNISTER,
Kildare,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Noel Byrne suggests there should be a ban of alcohol served at airports.
Indeed he suggests there should be also be a ban on alcohol on flights worldwide after the violent events in Dublin Airport.
It was one event. If the Garda and airport security had reacted in a timely fashion, it wouldn’t have escalated as it did or made the front pages.
If these men were drinking in the airport bar, there are serious questions as to why they continued to be served alcohol if intoxicated.
In 2019, there were roughly 42 million flights. The only figure I can find for incidences of diverted flights due to alcohol was 186 in 2018.
Banning alcohol to punish the many because of the very, very few is over the top.
However, I completely agree with his suggestion that anyone convicted of such an incident should receive a worldwide flying ban. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CURRAN,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
Sir, – With reference to the letter suggesting the banning of alcohol sales at airports, which I doubt will ever happen, may I suggest that the staff at the boarding gate should have the right to breathalyse anyone suspected of being over the limit and, if so, refuse access. I would also suggest that no passenger should be allowed carry alcohol on board. – Yours, etc,
KEN GREGORY,
Stepaside,
Dublin 18.