THE North West Alcohol
Forum has said lessons must be learned from the
landmark case against two bar staff cleared off
causing the death of an Englishman who suffered
alcohol poisoning.
NWAF director Eamon O’Kane said: “This has been a
landmark case in Ireland as it has been the first
attempt to use the country’s alcohol liability laws.
Whilst the case adjudication has focused on the
victim’s contributory action it is important not to
lose sight of two other key issues highlighted by
this case, namely, the quality and extent of bar
staff training in Ireland and the lack of public
awareness of the potential effects of heavy binge
drinking.”
During the trial it was acknowledged by the court
that that the bar staff had been given no formal
training in relation to alcohol-related harm. Mr
O’Kane said: "This case highlights the need for a
standardised, quality-assured training for bar staff
and bar owners that might help to avoid a repeat of
the death in Thurles.”
The Director of the National Poisons Information
Centre at Beaumont hospital, Dr Joseph Tracey told
the court that the side effects of taking such a
huge volume of alcohol in one session was that the
drinker would go into a severe coma. Mr O’Kane said
the case was a stark reminder of the "true danger of
excessive and unchecked alcohol consumption".
“We believe that most people in the hospitality
sector are committed to ensuring the safe and
enjoyable consumption of alcohol and to support them
NWAF has been working on the development of an
effective ‘Responsible Serving of Alcohol’
programme. Whild this case is still fresh in the
memory we would call upon the hospitality sector to
embrace the need for better training and to work
with us in ensuring that there can be no repeat of
the Tipperary case.” |
