Mayo publican hits out over cheap alcohol 'hypocrisy'

WITH alcohol cheaper to buy than milk or water, the issue of minimum unit pricing for alcohol is leading to widespread concern across Mayo.

Highlighting pre-Christmas price offers, Councillor Neil Cruise hit out at the 'hypocrisy' of being able to buy 40 bottles of beer for €30, with the offer accompanied by the tagline advising consumers to enjoy alcohol responsibly.

He was speaking at a meeting of Mayo’s Joint Policing Committee.

The operator of a pub in Foxford for the past 24 years, Councillor Cruise said he had listened to Ballina man John Higgins talking on local radio about his son, who died by suicide, as he spoke out against the pre-Christmas advertisements for cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

Mr. Higgins, in an interview with Midwest Radio, said the advice to enjoy alcohol responsibly would bring no comfort to children whose prospect of a happy Christmas will be shattered as a result of alcohol abuse in the home, or to families who have lost a loved one in situations where alcohol was a contributing factor.

Mr. Higgins' son David died after a house party in March 2011.

An inquest into his death found alcohol to be a contributing factor.

Minimum unit pricing for alcohol has not been implemented, said Councillor Cruise, and he hoped the government would now bring in that legislation as soon as possible.

“What goes on in the pub is different to what is going on at parties,” he said.

“Minimum pricing on alcohol needs to come in sooner rather than later,” he added, qualifying again that he made his comments as a publican.

Members of the Joint Policing Committee supported Deputy Dara Calleary's suggestion that they write to the minister asking why there has been a delay in enacting the legislation to deal with low price alcohol.