Alcohol Action Ireland to address Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in meeting on ‘one-punch’ attacks
A cap should be set on the number of outlets selling alcohol in towns and cities around the country in order to help reduce violent crimes, a health body has said.
In a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) also called for trading hours of these businesses to be reduced, along with greater education among young people around the risks associated with alcohol and violence.
AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany
The advocacy group will today address the committee on the topic of unprovoked ‘one-punch’ assaults. The meeting will discuss ways to prevent such attacks, as well as sentencing for those who are convicted of carrying out these assaults.
In her submission, AAI chief Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “While alcohol use is neither necessary nor sufficient for violence to occur, many studies have demonstrated significant, and positive, associations between alcohol consumption and rates of criminal violence.”
She pointed to Australian research which found that alcohol is involved in around 80 per cent of ‘one punch’ assaults which predominantly involve young men.
“Interestingly, despite assertions from the alcohol industry that many assaults in Australia were linked to illegal ‘party’ drugs, most cases reviewed involved solely alcohol.”
According to the 2024 research which showed that three-quarters of the population in Ireland live within 300 metres of an outlet that sells alcohol.
“International and Irish evidence consistently shows that increasing trading hours and density of licensed premises leads to more alcohol-related crime, violence and public disorder, while reducing late-night trading lowers rates of violence,” added Dr Gilheany.
“Yet, addressing alcohol use remains an under-utilised strategy in the violence prevention field; indeed, relatively few prevention efforts intentionally address alcohol use or draw on effective strategies from the alcohol field. This is especially true of unprovoked assaults.”
‘One punch’ assaults occur when a single, unexpected blow is delivered to a person’s head or neck. The attack can cause immediate unconsciousness and serious harm, particularly from any secondary impact when the victim’s head hits the ground.
After pub licensing hours for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays were increased in 2000, a significant increase in alcohol-related crime was recorded. Extended Thursday opening was discontinued in 2003 in response to a recommendation from the Commission on Liquor Licensing.
Meanwhile, research published in 2022 found that youth drinking rates rose by 12 per cent in the past decade, while two-thirds of 15-24-year-old men were classified as hazardous drinkers.
“International and Irish evidence consistently shows that increasing trading hours and density of licensed premises leads to more alcohol-related crime, violence and public disorder, while reducing late-night trading lowers rates of violence,” said Dr Gilheany.
“Yet, addressing alcohol use remains an underutilised strategy in the violence prevention field; indeed, relatively few prevention efforts intentionally address alcohol use or draw on effective strategies from the alcohol field. This is especially true of unprovoked assaults.
“National and international evidence on alcohol use and violence all points to how action on availability, affordability and advertising can reduce the frequency and severity of violence on our streets and in the home.”