Public drinking: bottles left on the steps of Dublin Landmark, the Custom House, originally uploaded by blather.

Binge drinking: bottles left on the steps of Dublin city centre landmark, the Customs House on a Saturday afternoon, August 2nd.

New laws under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 concerning alcohol consumption came into force on Wednesday July 30th. The new regulations including giving gardai ( police ) more powers to seize alcohol consumed in public earlier off-licence and nightclub closing times and stiffer penalties for those who sell alcohol to under-18s