Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Beer via Shutterstock

Neknominations "will lead to more deaths"

The Taoiseach, a judge and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland all warned against the social media craze.

A HOST OF groups have slammed the “neknomination” social media game, with a judge saying that it will lead to a “tsunami of murder and rape prosecutions”.

Justice Paul Carney today told the trial of a man who claimed he had been drinking when he raped an acquaintance that he was worried that drinking games would cause widespread problems.

The judge was echoed by the Taoiseach, who implored young people to “give up neknominations, they are not a game”.

The calls come after two deaths over the weekend were linked with the craze, which involves downing a pint on video while nominating peers to do the same.

The videos have taken an air of one-upmanship, with the brother of one of the dead saying that his brother jumped into a river while filming his video.

Affordability

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland called for government action on the game.

Professor Frank Murray, Chair of the RCPI Policy Group on Alcohol, said that the proposed minimum pricing on alcohol would help.

“Sadly this extreme binge drinking will likely lead to more deaths. We support the Government in urgently implementing measures to restrict the affordability and availability of alcohol.

“We need to ensure our young people are equipped with the knowledge to make safe choices with regard to alcohol, and the government has a major role to play in supporting them in this.”

Read: ‘Will it take my brother’s death for people to realise how stupid neknomination is?’

Read: ‘Neknomination’ is the new social media craze

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
92 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds