Street drinking is ruining Killarney’s image and more Gardaí are needed to police the issue, a former mayor and independent councillor has said. 

The Kerry town is famed the world over as a place where tourists can experience Ireland at her best. Before COVID over a million people visited every year and tourism generated €400m in income for locals. 

The Lakes of Killarney seen from Ladies View. Image: : Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

However, Cllr Donal Grady says street drinking is putting that at risk and that he has never received more complaints on a single issue during his time as a politician. 

“There’s open drinking on the streets and that can lead to disorderliness and it’s making it harder to police it [the town] and we certainly need extra Gardaí on the streets of Killarney to keep law and order,” he complained to Newstalk Breakfast.

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Cllr Grady also said that he had seen people dealing drugs in broad daylight in the town “and I want it cut out,” he added. 

Like in much of Ireland, drinking on the street is banned by a local bylaw. However, during the pandemic people took to socialising outside and Cllr Grady says it is time things went back to the way they were: 

“We’re back to normality as much as we humanly possible can be and will be that way for the future,” he said. 

Killarney, Co Kerry.  Image: Ognyan Yosifov / Alamy Stock Photo

He added that if the problem is not dealt with then it could put off people from making a repeat visit: 

“Drinking is the problem in Killarney and that is why my motion states, ‘Look for extra Gardaí’,” Cllr Grady continued. 

“To try and keep control in Killarney and keep Killarney a place where you want to enjoy and I can imagine if anyone sees a ruckus in the street [if there are] tourists on the street and they see it, they won’t come back in two years’ time.”

Main image: People enjoying an outdoor pint during the pandemic. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews