[i]Peter, these stats could be applied to many countries in the world. To single out the Irish
is unfair.[/i]

You missed the bit about Ireland having the highest alcohol consumption in Europe? The bit about in UK adn US societies those with Irish background having a significantly higher ranking in the alcoholism stakes?

Seriously, even within Ireland drink is recognised as a serious problem for society, more serious and endemic than in most other countries. And drinking and fighting? When did you last roam the streets of Ireland around closing time?