A video of a boy drinking a pint of what appears to be Guinness has sparked outrage and shock across Ireland today.
The footage from a gathering in an Irish bar shows a child drinking a full pint in one go, while being cheered on by surrounding adults.
Video via 98fm Dublin Talks
The Donegal-based alcohol forum has called for the video to be investigated under potential child welfare issues. Gardai have confirmed the matter is being investigated.
CEO of the Alcohol Forum, Kieran Doherty said, ‘The video footage itself is quite disturbing and there is now responsibility on the appropriate services to investigate the footage and the child welfare issues it may raise’.
Mr Doherty also felt that, rather than sensationalising this one short video, attention needs to be paid to some wider issues: ‘There are several issues here. Who served the alcohol? Did they witness the incident? What are the implications for the licence holder? How many adults were encouraging the child? How many adults witnessed the incident?”
The outrage has been sparked primarily due to the young age of the boy shown in the footage.
Alcohol Forum’s psychologist, Dr Helen McMonagle, said, “Generally people don’t appreciate the serious damage that alcohol can do to the developing brain. Childhood is a very important stage in brain development.
“The consumption of alcohol during this time can slow down or even stop very important stages in the neuro-maturation of the brain. This can result in irreversible brain changes that can impact decision making, personality, memory and learning.”
This is just the latest in a line of historical and recent photos and footage to come to the public’s attention over recent years. If anything positive is to be gained from it, the forum said it is the renewed attention on underage drinking and the opportunity to now have a serious conversation about why we tolerate it.
“Research tells us alcohol can damage the developing brain, for this reason it is recommended that for under 18’s no alcohol is the safest choice and that they delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible.”
Mr Doherty emphasises that we need to ask what conditions we have created and maintain in society that makes people think it’s ok to give a child alcohol and to share that online as fun entertainment.
“There is rightly outrage at the endangerment of a young boy but we could go one further and ask why we don’t see the harm or have the same concern about teenage drinking.
The forum stated that 48% of 6th year students report drinking outside the low risk guidelines and 1 in 4 deaths of young men aged 15 to 39 is due to alcohol. “Something needs to change,” they said.
A statement said: “We need to look at why we are ready to tolerate the harm caused when we misuse alcohol and why sensible, evidence informed policies are dismissed as draconian and irrational.
“As deeply upsetting as this latest online footage is, it is an opportunity for us as a society to really look at what messages we are sending out to young people about alcohol and what we are doing to ensure every child can grow up free from alcohol harm. “
