Drug-taking cited as factor in concert disorder

DRUG-TAKING among those attending last Saturday’s concert in the Phoenix Park had contributed to disorder, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter told the Dáil.

“Certainly, one of the issues that the review will have to address is whether sufficient measures were in place to prevent this. I personally received reports of drugs being openly sold during the concert event, with no intervention by the personnel who were supposed to be providing security.”

Mr Shatter said he would receive a detailed Garda report on the Swedish House Mafia concert.

“I am determined that any lessons that can be learned from what happened will be taken fully into account in planning future events.”

Mr Shatter said that regulations would be finalised shortly leading to the licensing of all individuals working the event security sector.

He added that while the vast majority of people attending concerts and similar events just wanted to enjoy themselves, he was concerned that the behaviour of a significant number of people at the Phoenix Park event was clearly unacceptable. This had been reflected in the number of arrests made.

“The events of Saturday must underline the need for us all, as a society, to acknowledge the damage which the misuse of alcohol can cause.”

He said he had previously stated his intention to introduce additional regulations aimed at curbing the level of excessive drinking.

He expected that they would be in place towards the end of this year.

Labour TD Eamonn Maloney said he was astonished that, four days after the event, nobody from the promoters MCD had been arrested.

“They should be arrested and should have been arrested as early as Sunday morning given the fallout from the concert in question,” he said.

“MCD has been involved in a PR exercise since Saturday night disclaiming responsibility for what happened, including the attacks, the hospitalisation and the loss of life of certain unfortunate people.”

Labour TD Patrick Nulty said every citizen attending an entertainment or music event, concert or a play had a right to expect to be able to do so safely and securely and enjoy themselves.

Fine Gael TD Derek Keating said it was time to adopt a “no-tolerance” approach”.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said he had never seen intoxication at the level he observed among some of those heading to the concert.