Hardliners crackdown on underage drinking
Hardline republicans say they will visit off licenses in Derry at random to "make sure" they are not selling alcohol to underage drinkers.
Launching a new campaign against underage drinking, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32csm) says it will name and shame any off license they suspect of supplying alcohol to young people.
The republican group said they decided to launch their campaign after being approached by residents in a number of area in the city. The 32CSM also said they had written to all off-sales in the city warning them not to sell alcohol to minors.
"Most cases where a customer buys two quarter bottles of vodka or irregular purchases of cider and other cheap strong drinks it often falls into the hands of minors via irresponsible adults. The 32CSM will not hesitate when necessary to name and shame suspect off licenses that supply to underage drinkers by operating relaxed ID policies.
"Our activists will also monitor off sales at random to make sure these common sense procedures are being followed. We will also name and shame any person caught supplying minors with alcohol. We have placed posters in most off sales warning people that our activists are about and we will not hesitate, where necessary, to name and shame," a 32CSM spokesperson said.
The chairperson of the Derry Vintners group, Les Doherty, said he shares the concerns of the 32 CSM but encouraged them to get involved in structures which already exist to monitor the activities of off sales.
"There is a high degree of community frustration out there regarding some off sales who have refused to sign up to the protocol and code of conduct in relation to the sale of alcohol. I am vivid that a number of off sales have continually refused to sign up to this. I can understand where the 32CSM are coming from but I would advise them to look at a different approach.
"We already have a conduct team with representitves from Derry City Council, Estate Service, the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum, and also includes drugs and alcohol activist, Martin Connolly. I would encourage the 32 CSM to get in touch with this group if they fell so strongly about this matter," he said.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
