Psychologists at UCD have found over a quarter of fifth and sixth pupils are problem drinkers.

One fifth of have depression, with their boozing exacerbating the symptoms.

92% of 6th year students are drinking and one in four is consuming alcohol weekly.

More than 6,000 pupils aged 12 to 19 were surveyed from 72 secondary schools.

11% of the teenagers had symptoms of mild depression, 4% suffered from severe depression and a further 4% had very severe depression. 

A binge for the teenagers included six or more drinks in one sitting. One in three students were consuming five to six drinks in 5th year and one in four were drinking seven to nine while one in eight were knocking back ten or more. 

Conor Cullen from Alcohol Action Ireland says the survey results really aren't that surprising: