BY JEROME HUGHES
DONEGAL’S most senior garda has called on the community to ensure that adolescents are discouraged from consuming alcohol, and that measures are in place to look after those who do manage to become intoxicated.
Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan was speaking to the Donegal News on Friday in Letterkenny at the launch of ‘Dancing at the Disco’, a new report that highlights the risks to children attending discos on licensed premises.
“We need to introduce enhanced safeguards to ensure that our children are protected when they’re going to these events, not just in Donegal but across the country,” said Chief Supt Sheridan.
The report details a nationwide examination of the issue but part of the research was carried out here in Donegal by healthcare specialist, Dr Gráinne Ketelaar, and Paula Leonard who is the CEO of Alcohol Forum Ireland.
“We know there is unwanted sexual activity at these events but in my day it didn’t end up on Snapchat. It didn’t end up being shared. In didn’t exist for all time in somebody’s phone. The risks are different now,” suggests co-author Ms Leonard.
“We’re not trying to have these events banned and in fact we think they are really important for young people. They provide a place for them to hang out without their parents but it’s our job as adults to make sure they’re safe,” she added.
FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, AND FROM FRIDAY’S EVENT, SEE TODAY’S EDITION OF THE DONEGAL NEWS
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