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The TD claimed laws are not being enforced. Shutterstock/olesya_ewa

Underage teens are getting drunk by sucking on vodka-laced oranges, claims TD

Deputy Anne Rabbitte says she’s seen it happen outside teenage discos.

TEENAGERS GOING TO underage discos are consuming vodka from frozen oranges, a TD has claimed in the Dáil.

Galway deputy Anne Rabbitte TD was asking Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald what’s being done to tackle underage drinking when she made the claim this evening.

After the minister detailed the range of laws that block the sale and distribution of alcohol to minors, Rabbitte questioned whether the laws are being adequately enforced.

“The minister talked about the 1998 Act and the issue of delivering alcohol to minors.  That is where my biggest concern lies,” Rabbitte told the house.

I am at the stage of bringing teenagers to discos and when I pull up to the disco I am turning into one of those mothers who stays in the car and watches to make sure they go in the door.  If I turn my eye and look down along the canal or the walkway, as it is called in Loughrea, I am watching the over-18s sell the cans and bottles.  I am a mother in that moment, not a deputy or anything else.

“I see the oranges being handed over that have been frozen with vodka, so they can suck on the oranges as they are standing there.  I am talking about second and third-year discos.”

The minister responded by saying that, as a parent, she understands the deputy’s concerns.

“As a mother of three sons who are thankfully now older, I can empathise with her concerns about young people.  We have to approach this on a number of different levels. Enforcement is one part,” the Fitzgerald said.

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60 Comments
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:39 AM

    8000 people the majority of who will be drunk and high on drugs together on a pier. can’t see anything going wrong there

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    Mute David Devane
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:39 AM

    @Roy Dowling: Pier pressure ?

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    Mute Patsy Mongan
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:42 AM

    @Roy Dowling: Roy get a grip. Beatyard over the last few summers has been a massive success. Dun laoghaire is a beautiful place with great people

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    Mute 5hbeZh0I
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:57 AM

    @David Devane: brilliant

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    Mute Kieran Bourke
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:11 AM

    @David Devane: This better be the name of the Festival

    19
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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:25 AM

    @Roy Dowling: you judging others by what you yourself do Roy??
    Not everyone is a junky like you, some of us can be responsible when we go to a gig,
    but i`ll look out for you seeing as i live out that way – i take it you will be one of the ones floating facedown in the water surrounded by your own puke?

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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:32 AM

    @Pixie McMullen: your alright thanks haven’t drank in Dún Laoghaire in 6 years and I ain’t planning on drinking in the sh!thole any time soon.

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:52 AM

    @Roy Dowling: So, ye just stick to the drugs when you are out that way so?

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    Mute Deirdre Murphy
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:57 AM

    @Pixie McMullen: ah stop. Hopefully not. Fun and enjoyment.

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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:22 AM

    @Pixie McMullen: your free to think so if you like.

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    Mute Earl of Daventry
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:47 AM

    I want deep house and filthy stomping techno.

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    Mute Insider at RTE
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:24 AM

    Lark in the Park in Blackrock may be returning as well. Free gigs that ended in mid-80s

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    Mute Sos
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 12:18 PM

    @Insider at RTE: where did you hear that ?

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    Mute Insider at RTE
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 6:39 PM

    @Sos: local gossip in business circles in Blackrock. 14 July mooted date afaik

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    Mute RadioMikeOBrien
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:38 AM

    Cracking idea.

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    Mute Ciarán Ó Dubhda
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:51 AM

    I remember that summer in Dublin…..

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:11 AM

    We are crying out for more festivals like this in Cork. Shame.

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    Mute Earl of Daventry
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:16 AM

    @Arthur Pewty: you had techworks last week. Hush now.

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    Mute popeye Doyle
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:23 AM

    Hope everything works out well and nobody takes any drugs or alcohol and enjoy the music sensibly…

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    Mute Alan Carroll
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:19 AM

    @popeye Doyle: no drink ? No drugs ?enjoy the music ? Light hearted attempt at humour from me .

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    Mute Ao
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:28 AM

    Instagram festival more like

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:41 AM

    I hope it werks oush!

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