Debs crackdown-under 18s to leave main function by 12.30

klose

Debs crackdown to see under-18s leave at 12.30am

By Eoin English
Thursday, July 21, 2011
UNDER-18s will have to leave their graduation function at a leading Cork hotel at 12.30am tonight following a garda crackdown on the licensing laws.
Some 211 students from a Tipperary secondary school who are due to attend their graduation ball at the Rochestown Park Hotel tonight will be the first affected by the crackdown.

Hotel managers across the city and county were last night examining the court decision relating to the city’s four-star Rochestown Park Hotel amid concerns it could affect the running of hundreds of second-level graduation events, weddings and other social functions, if gardaí in other districts take a similar approach for special exemption orders.

Legal sources said the law regarding minors had been in place since 1988. However, it was the first time gardaí objected to a special exemption order relating to a school graduation function.

All underage students will be escorted from the ballroom at 12.30am, earlier than their overage friends after Judge Patrick Moran’s decision at Cork Circuit Court on Tuesday.

The under-18s, who will be identified by a coloured wrist tags system devised by the hotel, will be invited to wait in a specially created "chill-out" zone, until the function ends.

The situation arose after the hotel’s manager, Shay Livingstone, applied at Cork District Court last week for a special exemption order to serve alcohol at the graduation function between 11.30am and 1.30am.

Gardaí in the Togher district, in which the hotel is located, objected on the grounds the event would be attended by underage persons.

Under Section 35 (1) of the 1988 Liquor Licensing Act, under 18s, other than the licence holder’s employees, should not be on the part of the licensed premises which is used on foot of such exemption orders during the period for which the exemption was granted.

The hotel’s application was refused and Mr Livingstone appealed to Cork Circuit Court.

His legal team argued that a 1927 liquor licensing law allows minors to attend an event in a hotel where alcohol is being served until 12.30am, where a substantial meal is also being served.

Judge Moran granted the appeal which means that all of the under 18-year-olds attending tonight’s ball will have to leave the function room for the chill-out zone at 12.30am.

He said his hotel hosts up to 40 graduation balls annually and that this issue had never arisen before.

"It came out of the blue. We have an exemplary record and I want to work within the law, and that’s what we will do. But there has to be a level playing field," he said.

He said the hotel has very strict guidelines governing its graduation functions.

Security staff sweep the grounds from 5.30pm before guests arrive at 6.30pm.

Hotel staff accept three forms of ID only — a garda identification card, a passport or a driver’s licence.

The under-18s are given blue wrist bands, with red wrist bands for the others.

The groups are then separated for an alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks receptions.

Male and female security staff are on duty throughout the night and debutantes are made aware that they could be searched at any stage.

The bar operates a strict two-drink per person per visit limit, and doesn’t sell shots or Tequilas.

The hotel caters for about 4,500 debutantes every year. The functions represent about 15% of the hotel’s turnover, and support up to 60 full and part-time jobs.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/debs-crackdown-to-see-under-18s-leave-at-1230am-161697.html?fb_ref=.Ti4M_Q05uLs.like&fb_source=other_multiline#ixzz1TFd9H4zM

Hope it was quoted out corectly and wasent posted already. If ye want it moved to L.c forum tis grand.

Anyways, I think its daft and unfair. I've heard of debs balls operating with the wristband system which is grand and all but to segrogate the over 18s and under 18s after 12.30? Bull****! And lets face it, the tickets,suit,dress etc...arent cheap.

I'm guessing some moody sh!te started it all, they say it caters for 15% of their turnover and 40 debs balls annually. Now the hotel has this rep and that'll surely drop alot, results in job losses etc..hope im not jumping the gun on that one but any debs committee would surely look past this one.
Like hotels weren't struggling enough hope it dosent spread :rolleyes:

Mike 1972

whippedcream wrote: »

Anyways, I think its daft and unfair.

Think you left out the word "unworkable"....not to mention "pointless"

rossie1977

i never understood the whole concept of debs anyway.........celebrating something you haven't yet got results in seems a bit strange to me

Biggins

rossie1977 wrote: »

i never understood the whole concept of debs anyway.........celebrating something you haven't yet got results in seems a bit strange to me

To be fair, its not about celebrating final exams - its about celebrating finishing school and a final term with your class mates and year.

Should the debs be held after the results come out, some might not turn up out of disappointment, some might miss it due to fear of being embarrassed at been questioned about their (poor) results and many other reasons.
I can understand why the debs are held before the results come out - all are attending on a more plain even open field without a fear of one having out done another.

klose

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Think you left out the word "unworkable"

Meaning?

When I had my debs twas after my results but isint it to celebrate finishing secondary school I thought? Maybe it is for the results i'm not sure..

Chris P. Bacon

Ill be grand im 30

Needler

I'll be out with the night vision goggles around 12.31 so

Caraville

rossie1977 wrote: »

i never understood the whole concept of debs anyway.........celebrating something you haven't yet got results in seems a bit strange to me

Yeah my debs and another one I went to were after the results.

Totally over-hyped night though, either way. Good night and all but overall, meh.

There are schools who have their Debs in the first term of the Leaving Cert year which I think is completely ridiculous. Besides the fact that the first term is completely distracted by it, many of the students haven't even turned 18 yet so (and I know most of them will be long drinking anyway) it's condoning underage drinking. It should always be held after the Leaving Cert is done.

Biggins

Caraville wrote: »

...many of the students haven't even turned 18 yet so (and I know most of them will be long drinking anyway) it's condoning underage drinking. It should always be held after the Leaving Cert is done.

I agree with having a debs too early in the final term is daft but I should mention that many a class mate is also not over eighteen just because they have reached the stage of actually sitting their leaving exams too.
When I was a student at least half my class was under 18 doing their leaving exams.

Naomi00

That wristbands thing is crap, how would you drink underage then? It's not fair to divide people who are practically the same age and go to school together. That would ruin the night. If it was for people who don't actually go to the school, maybe that would be a better idea?

carefulnow100

That is some pointless BS been honest, it'll never be enforced.

Mint Sauce

I pity the 17 year old with the 18 year old date or visa versa.

klose

irish-stew wrote: »

I pity the 17 year old with the 18 year old date or visa versa.

Ya, how will they get the ride now? :pac:

Mint Sauce

whippedcream wrote: »

Ya, how will they get the ride now? :pac:

First the 17 year olds cant buy condoms, now this.

The Internet Explorer

"Chill out zone"

LAUGH OUT LOUD

AnonoBoy

I love all these threads about debs and leaving certs and college and the pressure and the hardship and all that.

I love them because all that is years behind me and I can happily not give a flying f*ck about them at all.

Caraville

Biggins wrote: »

I agree with having a debs too early in the final term is daft but I should mention that many a class mate is also not over eighteen just because they have reached the stage of actually sitting their leaving exams too.
When I was a student at least half my class was under 18 doing their leaving exams.

Yeah true- but the vast majority (particularly nowadays when most students don't start primary school til 5 and do Transition Year) will be 18 by the August after their Leaving Cert.

Either way, most schools are separating themselves from the Debs, leaving it to be something the students are in charge of only in case anything goes wrong. Takes the responsibility off the school management, which I can understand to be honest- they're technically no longer students of the school anymore anyway if it's after the Leaving.

Storminateacup

I was 17 at my own debs. And I remember we had to que seperately to those who had id. I'm pretty sure the over 18s got wrist Bands but it could have possibly been the other way round since I got so drunk I can't remember.

I was trashed by the meal, vaguely remember sitting waitin for my soup and marching to the bar in my bare feet for the 3 shots for a 10r deal, braving smashed glass
all along the bar.

My mother had to undress me at 8am the following morning when I got home. In a ball wasnt the word for it.

Best nite ever

General General

whippedcream wrote: »

The under-18s, who will be identified by a coloured wrist tags system devised by the hotel, will be invited to wait in a specially created "chill-out" zone, until the function ends.

So it's yokes for the under-18s then, yeah? I'd say they'll be alright about that.

Scuid Mhór

The Internet Explorer wrote: »

"Chill out zone"

LAUGH OUT LOUD

hahaha i read through the thread wondering how nobody had picked that one up.

Biggins

Caraville wrote: »

...they're technically no longer students of the school anymore anyway if it's after the Leaving.

Technically once they have finished their final day of school mandated teaching term, they are no longer officially students.
The exams are held by officially by the Department of Education - that fact that they hire subsequently, teachers (or others) to then further observe the examination process is a technicality of convenience rather than an expression that the once attending pupils are still officially within their learning term mandated days.

In other words - had I never taken my leaving exams, I would forever still be a student?

Caraville

Biggins wrote: »

Technically once they have finished their final day of school mandated teaching term, they are no longer officially students.
The exams are held by officially by the Department of Education - that fact that they hire subsequently, teachers (or others) to then further observe the examination process is a technicality of convenience rather than an expression that the once attending pupils are still officially within their learning term mandated days.

Yeah but ssshhh, don't be letting them know the truth, or they'll be all wanting to wear pink hair and mini skirts into the exam halls instead of their uniforms & all hell will break loose cos it's sure to make that A1 plummet to a D


Edit: As for forever being a student, I wouldn't go back to that age for anything! I'd go back to relive 22-27, but not 18

Griffen262

This crackdown in simple terms is a load of Bollocks!

Liam Byrne

Naomi00 wrote: »

That wristbands thing is crap, how would you drink underage then?

Here's a mental idea : how about not doing that?

Liam Byrne

Storminateacup wrote: »

I was 17 at my own debs. And I remember we had to que seperately to those who had id. I'm pretty sure the over 18s got wrist Bands but it could have possibly been the other way round since I got so drunk I can't remember.

I was trashed by the meal, vaguely remember sitting waitin for my soup and marching to the bar in my bare feet for the 3 shots for a 10r deal, braving smashed glass
all along the bar.

My mother had to undress me at 8am the following morning when I got home. In a ball wasnt the word for it.

Best nite ever

Hopefully that last line is sarcasm, because it sounds like a horrendous night.

ItsAWindUp

Storminateacup wrote: »

I was 17 at my own debs. And I remember we had to que seperately to those who had id. I'm pretty sure the over 18s got wrist Bands but it could have possibly been the other way round since I got so drunk I can't remember.

I was trashed by the meal, vaguely remember sitting waitin for my soup and marching to the bar in my bare feet for the 3 shots for a 10r deal, braving smashed glass
all along the bar.

My mother had to undress me at 8am the following morning when I got home. In a ball wasnt the word for it.

Best nite ever

What a post:D

Biggins

Caraville wrote: »

Edit: As for forever being a student, I wouldn't go back to that age for anything! I'd go back to relive 22-27, but not 18

I agree, same here.

RichieC

rossie1977 wrote: »

i never understood the whole concept of debs anyway.........celebrating something you haven't yet got results in seems a bit strange to me

I always assumed by the name it meant the beginning of something rather than the end...

Eric Cartman

1. Apply for job in chill out zone
2. Stuff naggins in jacket and charge 20 euro for them
3. ???????
4. Sex offenders register

GoldFour4

It was my debs. I posted this in the leaving cert debs thread


otel: Rochestown park hotel. Cork

Arrived at the hotel around 7, place was quite busy. Security were very strict. Very thorough when checking I.D. It became obvious the hotel was in contact with the evening echo to promote that they were following the law. Several friends were taken up to the “VIP chill out zone. ” For a photo for todays paper ( it was on the cover ) . Thing is though that the people in the photo were all 18.

Meal was served at half 8. For starters there was farmhouse vegatable soup which was nice and creamy . Main course was chicken with stuffing wrapped in bacon. That was pretty nice too. Dessert was the most disappointing course, only a few at our table actually finished it ! It was apple pie. After that there was a band called clock works. They did a lot of pop covers which wasn't really my thing.

The bar was a bit of a pain. The hotels 1 drink per person rule made rounds hard cause we had to show our friends red bands to the barman for extra drinks. We got our photo taken around 11. Think it was a nice photo anyway ! At half 12 we had to go to the Chill out zone. The room was dead in terms of dancing. I felt sorry for the dj tbh! They had really nice non alcoholic cocktails which were free. We also got goodie bags. The lads bags had deodorant and a lot of sweets. Bus home at 2am. Back in Tipperary town at 4

Overall it was a pretty good night. Seperating the group was kind of a bummer though. Meal was nice although the service was a little rushed. Security were too rough IMO, eg grabbing my gf and pushing towards the door even though we were quite obviously heading towards the door.

Oh and we didn't bother trying fake I.D for the gf. The guy caught out several fakes in the queue before us. Didn't ruin the night though so its all good

RichieC

Eric Cartman wrote: »

1. Apply for job in chill out zone
2. Stuff naggins in jacket and charge 20 euro for them
3. ???????
4. Sex offenders register

4...... sloppy.

Wolfe Tone

malachyscott wrote: »

It was my debs. I posted this in the leaving cert debs thread


otel: Rochestown park hotel. Cork

Arrived at the hotel around 7, place was quite busy. Security were very strict. Very thorough when checking I.D. It became obvious the hotel was in contact with the evening echo to promote that they were following the law. Several friends were taken up to the “VIP chill out zone. ” For a photo for todays paper ( it was on the cover ) . Thing is though that the people in the photo were all 18.

Meal was served at half 8. For starters there was farmhouse vegatable soup which was nice and creamy . Main course was chicken with stuffing wrapped in bacon. That was pretty nice too. Dessert was the most disappointing course, only a few at our table actually finished it ! It was apple pie. After that there was a band called clock works. They did a lot of pop covers which wasn't really my thing.

The bar was a bit of a pain. The hotels 1 drink per person rule made rounds hard cause we had to show our friends red bands to the barman for extra drinks. We got our photo taken around 11. Think it was a nice photo anyway ! At half 12 we had to go to the Chill out zone. The room was dead in terms of dancing. I felt sorry for the dj tbh! They had really nice non alcoholic cocktails which were free. We also got goodie bags. The lads bags had deodorant and a lot of sweets. Bus home at 2am. Back in Tipperary town at 4

Overall it was a pretty good night. Seperating the group was kind of a bummer though. Meal was nice although the service was a little rushed. Security were too rough IMO, eg grabbing my gf and pushing towards the door even though we were quite obviously heading towards the door.

Oh and we didn't bother trying fake I.D for the gf. The guy caught out several fakes in the queue before us. Didn't ruin the night though so its all good

jesus that sounds sh!te, mine was a mad affair


goodie bags? WTF

flas

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

jesus that sounds sh!te, mine was a mad affair


goodie bags? WTF

was just thinking that, it sounded sh!te, remember both of the debs i went to, were very good nights, music until 4 in both places and then a breakfast at like 5 when the hotel kitchen opened again, then back on buses and home for about 7, everyone into tesco carpark and then to house parties with bottles of wine from the garage out the road! that was 6 years ago mind!

jdooley28

That hotel will lose a serious amount of there 40 debs a year anyway

Storminateacup

Omg if my debs ended up like a glorified youth club disco, I've have trashed the place.

Raging would not be the word for it.

stovelid

After Hours still manfully grappling with the burning issues of the day, I see,.

OldGoat

A Debs is so much more fun when you are older and can appricate it more - and book a room in the hotel so residants bar is available.
I went to one last year and intend to go to it again this year. I seem to remember quite a few Boardsies were there too - equally drunked.

ItsAWindUp

I'm going to a Debs there:(

Run_to_da_hills

To make up for this ruling a free packet of Smarties should be handed out to each child upon leaving.

Corruptedmorals

That's so crap! My first debs, nobody was ID'd, stamped or wristbanded. It was chaos, but great fun..apart from the few who got glassed and ended up in hospital..bathrooms were a disgusting mess after that. Couldn't go back to that hotel the following year. I was actually almost 19 for the second one but couldn't fit my passport in my bag..so I couldn't get a stamp! Very difficult to get drinks for the first while..no shots or anything. Total buzzkill. And that one was 4 years ago, they must really suck by this stage judging by segregation...mental.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

I hope the guards are happy with ruining peoples debs for them. Your tax money at work folks.

tigerblob

They'll all just head off to an after-party and get sloshed for cheap, and have a great time, problem solved

padd b1975

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I hope the guards are happy with ruining peoples debs for them. Your tax money at work folks.

Any tax euro that prevents A and E being clogged up by mammys little angel getting his or her stomach pumped is a euro well spent in my opinion.

Storminateacup

Jesus live a little.

If you can't have a stomach pump at 17 years old after your debs, when will you be entitled to it

padd b1975

Storminateacup wrote: »

Jesus live a little.

If you can't have a stomach pump at 17 years old after your debs, when will you be entitled to it

When you are 18.

Alter-Ego

Madness! They had wristbands at my debs in the Kilmore in Cavan a few years ago. They checked the bands for about 30 minutes before they just let everybody order what they wanted.
Most people could barely walk getting out of the Limo's anyway. Absolute carnage and a lot of guys going around with smelly fingers. Good times.

I was at another debs in Thurles a few years back and the amount of coke and pills being done at it was astounding, so if people can't get booze they'll turn to the local scobie yoke dealer anyway.

RichieC

padd b1975 wrote: »

Any tax euro that prevents A and E being clogged up by mammys little angel getting his or her stomach pumped is a euro well spent in my opinion.

another captain Buzz killington.

I swear the soul will die in this country with all these nanny statists popping out of the woodwork.

Nevermind_

I find this whole story very strange. There have been underage people at every debs/grads since they first began yet all of a sudden the guards have a problem with it? Why? and Why now?

Either the hotel in question pissed off the guards for some reason and the guards are getting their own back by enforcing a law that has always been there yet is never enforced anywhere in the country.
OR
There is a local Sargent who is out to make a name for himself and saw this as a way to do it.

Either way its stupid and very hard to enforce hopefully this wont spread across the country

Teyla Emmagan

I had to bring my Mam and Dad to my debs! AND wear white. We all had to.

The olden days were tough kids, go home at 12.30 and be glad you were let out at all..

Diabhal Beag

It's not the drink that people should be worried about but the people who bring paedo looking 25 year olds to the Debs. WTF is with that?

kylith

I left my debs at about 9pm.

Of course I had a sexy boyfriend and a room booked upstairs