Senior gardaí in Cork city have warned that drinking alcohol in public is illegal and will not be tolerated, as an extensive policing plan for St Patrick's Day weekend comes into effect in the city from early tomorrow morning.
Chief Superintendent Tom Myers said the plan, in co-ordination with Cork City Council and festival organisers, will also see a comprehensive road traffic management plan in place in the city centre for Monday's 1pm parade.
Chief Superintendent Myers said: "We will be out and about on-hand throughout and we are asking for assistance from the public to make sure it's a great weekend for all ages. We are reminding people that drinking alcohol in public is illegal and won't be tolerated".
He said their priority is that everyone safely enjoys themselves, advising the public to plan their night outs in advance, to be careful of personal belongings, especially in crowded areas, not to allow any friend or family member to walk home alone, and never to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Separately, the HSE South West has warned that as emergency departments are often busier around bank holiday weekends, patients with non-urgent injuries should seek treatment at any of the county's three injury units.
The injury units at St Mary's Health Campus in Gurranabraher and at Mallow and Bantry General Hospitals treat all non-life-threatening injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns.
Meanwhile, Cork Airport says it is expecting over 53,000 passengers through the airport over the weekend.
With racing and rugby fans heading overseas to Cheltenham and Rome, visitors arriving from the UK, Europe and further afield will be greeted by daily performances of traditional music and song by local musicians celebrating the national patron saint's holiday weekend.
