Gardaí's ‘zero tolerance' plan as teens get to celebrate Junior Cert results on a Friday night

For the first time ever, Junior Cert results are being published on a Friday, leaving students with plenty of time to celebrate – and recover from the revelries.

As a result, gardaí have today issued a warning of a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude to those not behaving themselves later this evening. ‘As thousands of teenagers throughout the country get set to celebrate their Junior Cert results, Gardaí would urge students and their parents to be mindful about the dangers of drinking and taking drugs,’ the gardaí said in a statement issued today.  

‘Many teens will be in high spirits as they head out to celebrate with their friends this evening and it is our hope that each and every one of them has a safe and enjoyable night. We are asking everyone to take a few simple precautions to ensure this: Have a plan for the evening. How are you getting home? Are you taking a taxi, getting a lift or staying with a friend? Be mindful of your property. Keep your phone, wallet or purse on you at all times. If you find yourself in a scenario and sense there could be trouble, walk away. Call the Gardaí immediately if you feel the situation is getting out of hand. Think of the consequences for both yourself and others if you were to hit someone.’  

Additional gardaí will be patrolling from early this evening and will be operating in a uniform and also plain clothes capacity. ‘We will be adopting a zero tolerance approach to anyone found behaving in an anti-social manner,’ the statement adds.

The government says the change to the date of results was because the previous Wednesday publication day meant that other classes and all school students were being distracted by the excitement of the event.