Garda clampdown on Limerick and Kerry teens underage drinking at Listowel Races

GARDAI will be carrying out spot checks to ensure no alcohol is brought onto buses by underage males or females heading to ladies day at Listowel Races on Friday.

Traditionally, that is the day that sees the attendance of young persons in large numbers, said Diarmuid O Brien, sergeant in charge Listowel Garda Station 

“We welcome these young people and want then to enjoy their day. However, in the past there were incidents of underage drunkenness which resulted in youths being conveyed to the garda station and their parents contacted. Incidents such as these draws significantly from our resources at busy times,” said Sgt O’Brien, who created awareness around anti-social behaviour and underage drinking by working in collaboration with schools, bus companies, businesses, media and the racecourse committee. 

He liaised with schools in the North Kerry / West Limerick area, outlined the legislation relating to underage drinking and requested teachers to reinforce the message. 

“Separately I will be speaking with the bus drivers in the West Limerick / North Kerry area and gardai will be carrying out spot checks at pick-up locations ensuring no alcohol is brought onto the buses, or indeed no young person has consumed alcohol. If so they will not be allowed in the bus.  

“We will be operating a stop and search policy on entering the racecourse. This year for the first time on the racecourse we will be operating Challenge 21, an initiative we are implementing in conjunction with the licenced premises on the racecourse whereby any person who looks under 21 will be required to produce ID. It's also worth noting that any person between the age of 18-21 is required to have ID on their person when on a licenced premises,” said Sgt O’Brien. 

Gardai are again asking parents to take personal responsibility for their children. 

“If children are attending the races unaccompanied by an adult we ask parents to know where they are throughout the day and arrange collection after the last race. Youths under 12 years will not be allowed entry to the racecourse without an adult. Also underage persons will not be allowed into licenced premises up the town afterwards. 

“During the Listowel Races, gardaí will fully investigate any youths found committing an offence in relation to underage drinking or anti-social behaviour. Referral to the Juvenile Diversion Programme or prosecution by the courts will be implemented,” said Sgt O’Brien.

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After last year’s Listowel Races, gardai received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

“Incidents of public order and drunkenness were greatly reduced, particularly among young persons. This was especially evident on ladies day. Crowds were up on most days of the race,” said Sgt O’Brien.

Arrests on ladies day have fallen dramatically - two last year, seven in 2019 and 18 in 2018. Arrests overall are also down -  last year there were 10 - six public order, three drink driving and one drug driving. In 2019 there were 13 arrests and 38 in 2018.

“We ask patrons attending the races in Listowel to ensure they have a designated driver or arrange alternative transport if they are consuming alcohol. We don’t want anyone’s day’s racing ruined by being arrested for drink driving or even worse being involved in an accident where they injure themselves or someone else. The Divisional Roads Policing Unit in Kerry will deploy additional resources to the Listowel area, along with additional resources which will be deployed from the Listowel District. 

“An Garda Siochana want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience at the races and are warning persons to be aware of pickpockets, lock your cars when leaving them and do not leave valuables on view,” said Sgt O’Brien.

Listowel gardai request all patrons attending the races comply with gardai and race steward requests to ensure the smooth running of the event and the safety of one and all.