Mayo County Council's campaign to reduce rowdiness outside nightclubs and ecnourage road safety this year involves handing out lollipops to nightclub attendees.
Free lollipops are to be handed out to people leaving nightclubs and bars in Co Mayo, in the hope that they will not be able to shout or cause a disturbance while sucking on them.
The lollipops also come with a road safety messages such as 'Get Home Safely'.
The scheme, which is being led by Mayo County Council, is being put on trial after a similar project in the UK and Canada and in Mayo last year proved successful.
“Like giving candy to a grumpy baby, lollipops are said to have similar effects on grown men and women", road safety officer with Mayo County Council Noel Gibbons said. "Moreover, arguments fuelled by drunken bravado and macho attitudes often escalate following verbal exchanges.
"In other countries police noticed an immediate decrease in rowdy activity and an increase in calming energy and awareness created around the message on the lollipop."
The scheme is being supported by Gardaí in Mayo and Superintendent Joe Mc Kenna, who is based in Castlebar, said it was worth trying out.
"Through this campaign we and our partners are using a whole range of ideas to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve road safety to make the Christmas period and New Year a enjoyable and safe time for all,” he said.
The trial is also being backed by pubs and nightclubs in Mayo and Joe Corcoran, manager of the Westport Plaza and Castlecourt Hotel Resort, said they would be backing it.
“We are very happy to be involved with any campaign that can save a life. This is a fantastic initiative by the road safety department of Mayo County Council,” he said.
