Club says teen disco 'safe'

OLD WESLEY Rugby Club has stressed that it runs its teenage discos in a “safe and secure manner”, following references in a court…

OLD WESLEY Rugby Club has stressed that it runs its teenage discos in a “safe and secure manner”, following references in a court case to the consumption of alcohol in a lavatory.

The club’s events manager Donie Bolger said it had a “zero-tolerance policy” towards teenage drinking and misbehaviour of any kind. The club would immediately contact a teenager’s parents if someone was found drinking, he said. “Teenagers being teenagers . . . I suppose one must accept that these things happen,” he added.

Mr Bolger was speaking the day after Judge Jacqueline Linnane dismissed a €38,000 damages claim against the club by Laura Mulvanney (now 19), Foxrock Mount, Foxrock.

Ms Mulvanney was injured when the top of a toilet cistern fell on her leg at a disco on September 30th, 2006. Judge Linnane said she had failed to prove negligence by the club.

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Counsel for Old Wesley Kevin Callan had told the Circuit Civil Court that the club alleged that Ms Mulvanney and her friend Aideen O’Higgins had been engaged in the clandestine consumption of alcohol in the lavatory. Ms Mulvanney, who was 15 when the incident happened, said she and Ms O’Higgins had gone into the lavatory cubicle together at the disco.

Ms Mulvanney said when Ms O’Higgins flushed the toilet, the top of the cistern smashed on the floor, cutting her leg. Both teenagers denied drinking in the lavatory and said they each had two drinks before going to the disco.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Today with Pat Kenny show yesterday, Mr Bolger said some 14 to 16 people worked on security and monitored the behaviour of teenagers during the discos. Searches were carried out to prevent alcohol from being smuggled in.

Asked why the teenage disco sometimes drew criticism, he said: “Like anything that’s very successful, you’re bound to draw negative attention as well and I think some parents forget that they are responsible for the behaviour of teenagers.

“We’d like to think that the functions we’ve run are run in a safe and secure manner,” Mr Bolger said. “In fairness to teenagers, 98 per cent of them are A1, first class. They come along for a simple night of fun and enjoyment and that’s what it’s all about.”

Mr Bolger said the two teenagers had been attending the disco for two years previously and their behaviour had always been “impeccable”.

Alison Healy

Alison Healy

Alison Healy is a contributor to The Irish Times