A Dublin pub has been condemned for offering cheap alcohol to social welfare recipients in a promotion called ‘Welfare Wednesday’. The venue in Dublin’s north inner city is proffering €3 pints, whiskey and vodka shots to anyone who presents a social welfare card or bus pass on Wednesdays.
Liz Delaney’s pub and club in Coolock even uses the Department of Social Protection’s logo on its posters. Senator Catherine Noone has condemned the pub, suggesting it promotes ‘irresponsible drinking’. This comes amid recent calls for minimum alcohol pricing and the end of cheap drinks promotions, with €2.50 pints specifically mentioned.
British pub chain Wetherspoons, which is setting up in Ireland, has been criticised by Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who called for such very cheap alcohol to be outlawed.