Violent Crimes Increase

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How much do people think this is alcohol related?

Report in Irish Times.

seamus

It's tough to point the finger at beer. Us Irish have been heavy drinkers for ages, although we do drink more now. Imo, it's more to do with stress, intolerance and frustration, rather than getting drunk. After all, I go out and get drunk, but don't start fights. However when I am drunk, and someone pisses me off, I'm far more likely to lose the rag and feel like killing him, then when I'm sober. So, in conclusion, I think people are angry and frustrated, but just lose the control of it when they get drunk. We need to work on the cause, not the symptoms.

{An Afterthought: If you notice people are more afraid to walk the streets, even during the day, and scangers now give people abuse whenever they see them, and road rage crimes have rocketed. People don't drink 24hrs a day, so obviously drink can't be causing it. My 2c }

Xterminator

I think you have to take into consideration the pouring out of pubs at about the same thime large no's of intoxicated people.

Now that is a receipe for trouble.

Take the city centre for example when crowds pour out of wateering holes all over around the same time because they have the same closing hours, go to the same fast food joints, and that same taxi ranks/ nightlink stops.

However i believe a substansial number of violent crimes are Drug fuelled. How many dealer have made examples of the people who owe them money, or rival gangs take a piece of someelse action etc.
Then there is the users, who when out of there heads, ofter turn violent, for very little reason.

Perhaps ther is an underlying breakdown in tradional valuse in our society, which allows these people to roam the streets, and not be shopped by those who know who they are anfd what they do.

X

Biffa Bacon

Violent crimes are increasing because the law isn't being enforced. If John O'Donoghue (or any other politician for hat matter) had a clue he would realise that this is what the policy of zero tolerance should be about - not allowing knackers get away with it.

Victor

It's quite possibly down to the economy (a) people are more stressed (b) people are more materialistic and less caring (c)people are more able and willing to drink to excess (d) a+b+c leads to punch ups and worse.

Ri-ra

Hard to rule alcohol out completely, but I do think that it just breaks down inhibitions. The reasons for anger/ rage/ unhappiness are already there. Personally, I believe that they have a lot to do with the social factors/ problems that have come with the past and future economic changes in Irish society.

azezil

Originally posted by Ri-ra
Hard to rule alcohol out completely, but I do think that it just breaks down inhibitions. The reasons for anger/ rage/ unhappiness are already there. Personally, I believe that they have a lot to do with the social factors/ problems that have come with the past and future economic changes in Irish society.

Agreed.

I think a possible fuel for rage, may be, imo the lack of preparation made by the government to make people aware of the effects of immigration. For years people have been leaving Ireland for hope of new opportunities but now the opportunities are here (apparently) and we have this influx of new people. People of different creed and walks of life. The way I see it, the Irish population was unprepared for the impact this would have on our, lets face it, backward society.

I remember growing up, any time I'd see a 'black man' it would be an occasion of great wonder and mystery. Now its common place.
Our rather repressed Irish culture has been thrust into the modern times, with its new beliefs, morals etc. Its a hard thing to deal with all at once, it can be, as mentioned earlier, a cause of stress and anxiety, throw the Irish drinking culture into the mix n there's bound to be trouble.

But of course there's an element that'll blame alcohol, or use it as an excuse to commit acts of violence. Plead a drinking disorder and you make a contribution to charity and join AA. Admit it was premeditated, or racially motivated n you'll find your ass in prison.

There are many factors, too many to mention, drinking doesn't help but its not the root of the problem.