Duty of Care to the Intoxicated: The Irish Approach

This Article examines whether the relationship between publican and patron should or should not produce such an obligation. It also addresses the possible defenses to such a claim in the tort of negligence. Finally, as the matter is not a settled point of Irish law, this Article also attempts to assess the potential approach of its courts, in view of the approach taken by the English courts to the issue and the flurry of academic comment in the wake of a recent Irish settlement. These issues are certain to surface in litigation again. Regardless of the approach taken by the Irish courts, the impact of any resolution will have dramatic consequences on Irish society and culture