The number of prosecutions for public order offences increased by 161 per cent between 1996 and 2001, according to a report from the National Crime Council. Eighty per cent of these related to drunkenness or threatening or abusive behaviour.
The survey took place over a six-month period and involved observation of members of the Garda at work as well as examination of data.
Two areas were examined in depth, central Dublin and a suburban area.
Public order incidents in the city centre tended to arise from an older age group, very late at night, in rows and assaults. The incidents in the suburban area concerned younger people, earlier, in nuisance behaviour, loitering and gardaí confiscating alcohol.
The survey found from the examination of data that more than 40 per cent of these offences take place in Dublin, and most (70 per cent) occurred between 10 p.m and 4 a.m.
Over a quarter of all offences recorded in the city centre (27 per cent) took place in O'Connell Street.
A quarter of such offences in Dublin occurred between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Weekends were the most likely times for such offences, with 55 per cent between 8 p.m. on a Friday and 4 a.m. on a Monday.
The Garda PULSE data suggested that alcohol had been consumed in 97 per cent of cases, but the researchers estimated that this was the case in only half the incidents.
However, 40 per cent of the city-centre incidents occurred in or near public houses.
The report recommended a more co-ordinated approach to managing public order, involving the licensed trade, fast-food outlets, the security industry and the local community as well as the Garda.
It also recommended community policing structures.
The training of members of the force in how to deal with this behaviour, and especially with young people, should be enhanced, according to the council.
Referring to the licensed trade, the report recommended the extension of the use of closure orders, especially where the serving of drink to already intoxicated people was concerned. It also proposed that the courts be able to inquire into the incidence of public order offences when considering an application under the licensing laws.
Staff in pubs should be trained to deal with public disorder, according to the report. A new national alcohol strategy should be developed with clear objectives and implementation targets.
In the light of the amount of offences associated with "loitering", the council recommended improved and extended services for young people in residential areas, and that the design of new estates include safe meeting places for them.
Because 56 per cent of the cases that came to the District Court were either struck out or dismissed, the National Crime Council recommended more research on how the courts deal with public order offending.