Closing Times in the press again

national | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Tuesday December 16, 2008 15:47 by Phier

Superintendent supports staggered closing

Supt Joe Gannon, of Pearse Street Garda Station said:

"The difference is the streets are cleared earlier," he says. "When we had the theatre licences one lot were coming out of bars at 2.30am and another lot coming out of the late clubs at 3.30am, so there were people on the streets until about 5am.

"Now they are all coming out together at 2.30am. The fast-food places don't have the capacity for them all, so a lot head straight home.

"If it is staggered, there is less volume at once, which is easier to deal with. There is less potential for volatility on the streets."

It was meant to reduce alcohol abuse, but nightclub owners say the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 is threatening the future of the industry and has led to an increase in trouble on the streets

IT'S A SATURDAY night in Dublin in the lead-up to Christmas. At 1.30am the Kings of Leon can be heard blaring from the Gaiety Nightclub on South King Street. A steady stream of stylish, well-groomed young things make their way from the adjoining box office to the club front door, having paid €15 for their tickets.

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