Family slams cheap drinks flyer

Published Monday, 06 February 2012

A father whose son fell into the River Lagan after drinking heavily at a Belfast nightclub has told UTV he is disgusted by a cheap drinks promotion at a nearby club.

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Joby Murphy, who is feared drowned, had been at the Beach Nightclub before he fell into the water 12 days ago.

His father Joe said a flyer produced by the Mynt complex offering cheap alcohol and which shows a man lying on the ground apparently unconscious is promoting bad behaviour.

"It's very dangerous. I think the promotions should end.

"A person lying on the ground, face down. They want people to go to their club. This is what they want them to end up at, at the end of the night. I can't believe it," he told UTV .

Joby's girlfriend Karen said her wait for the 20-year-old's return has been "heart-breaking" and labelled the Mynt promotion "ridiculous".

"A few days on and they throw that flyer in our face. They say they have a duty of care for their customers. What care are they showing, showing their customers out legless?

"Someone's going to get hurt. Something's going to happen," she said.

Pubs of Ulster, which represents the licensed trade in Northern Ireland, insists that the majority of pubs and clubs in the city have agreed to end cheap promotion deals.

Colin Neill, from the organisation, told UTV that some clubs feared it could affect their trade.

"Many bars will hide behind the argument 'we have to do this because it's student night'.

"I know of venues who have £2.50 a drink during the week and have very successful student nights. There is no excuse for selling alcohol at ridiculously low prices."

In a statement Mynt nightclub said that the flyer at the heart of this storm had been created to coincide with one of this year's biggest movie titles

They said that the timing was unfortunate - but that it no way had it been intended to cause offence to anyone

And they insisted that Mynt are at the forefront of efforts to see a more responsible approach to drinks promotions.

The chair of Belfast City Council's Licensing Committee said an end to cheap drink promotions is "vitally important for the health and safety of people in Belfast".

Tom Ekin spoke out against the bars and clubs which sell alcohol at low prices.

"I think it's totally irresponsible and the powers that we have in the licensing committee are very limited, but what we can do is demonstrate to the owners and people applying for licenses that they are becoming totally irresponsible people.

"On that basis I believe that we have grounds to forbid them having a licence and that means that they are basically out of business."

Comments

25 Comments

Jamesbelfast in Belfast wrote (105 days ago):

The ambulance service will tell you that call-outs to one particular night club trebles (yes that's three-fold) during cheap drink promotions nights. Does anyone believe that is pure coincidence?? It all very well saying people should have the freedom of choice but why should the tax-payer be made to pay for their poor judgement and behaviour. Personally I firmly believe anyone who requires medical help as the result of too much alcohol should be made to pay for any treatment or necessary aid. Many people talk about the freedom of choice or human rights but with such rights comes a responsibility and should they fail in that responsibilty then they should forfeit their rights.

Jay in NI wrote (105 days ago):

I am the same age as the guy that drowned. I was never educated on the dangers of alcohol in school (minus the health factor)... The lack of education is a disgrace. My parents taught how to have fun and be safe with alcohol. And I thank them for this because I have successfully reached this stage of my life with little more than a sore head, some boking and perhaps a cut hand or knee from nights out. Simply because I know my limits. Whilst it is a tragedy that Joby died, it is my opinion that it's not about how cheap the drink is but the irresponsible nature of those who drink it. There is nothing wrong with going out and taking advantage of cheap drink as long as you know the dangers and take full responsibility for yourself and know when to stop. It's all about knowing your personal limit and at 20 years of age, I'm sure Joby wasn't a stranger to cheap drink. In mainland UK drinks are considerably more cheaper, I'm not saying that's a good thing, but I think the blame in this case is being pushed too heavily onto the business.

Frosty in Here wrote (105 days ago):

Unfortunately we live in a society that not only promotes excessive drinking, it's actually considered good craic to go out and get completely rubbered, the sort of old school mentality that you're not a man if you can't handle your drink and have to brag about how much you did drink the night before. Not really that impressive to be honest, but it does seem to make the morons happy. Not exactly a new phenomenon either, I remember back in the 80s Kelly's nightclub in Portrush was free to get in and 60p a pint. Now it's called Lush, which is a slang term for a female drunk.

John in Belfast wrote (106 days ago):

Totally agree with Mike here, people need to take some responsibility for their own mistakes and stop blaming other people. I'm sure 99% who go to this 99p drink night will have a good and cheap evening and won't drink until they are totally out of control. I don't understand how anyone can actually sit there and think people getting too drunk is anyone's fault but that individuals. The Nanny state needs to back off and let people realise their own limits as I'm sure most people do by the time they're about 20! Absolutely no need to infringe on those who are capable of behaving and drinking like adults just because some people behave in such an irresponsible manner.

joe 90 in belfast wrote (106 days ago):

my heart goes out to all the family and friends of the lost young man. the price of drinks definetly needs addressed but the leaflet from the nightclub showing a young man on the floor is disgusting. the timing of it's release is aweful, but the nature of it is totally disgusting. maybe the police should question people who have been served drink whilst unfit and prosecute the clubs/ bars involved.

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