The practice where people stand on each other's shoulders to form a pyramid, known as "human pyramiding", should be discouraged according to a code of conduct for pop concerts, the High Court was told yesterday.
The code was outlined by Mr Paul Romiril, a consulting engineer, while giving evidence in an action for damages by Ms Jenny Stack against Lord Henry Mountcharles arising from injuries she claims to have sustained at a rock concert at Slane Castle, Co Meath, on August 26th, 2000.
Ms Stack (38), of Ferncourt Drive, Firhouse, Co Dublin, claims that she was watching the Bryan Adams concert when three men who were "pyramiding" collapsed on top of her, which led to her having hip surgery.
Mr Romiril told Mr Garret Cooney SC, for Ms Stack, that the code of practice for concerts says effective site management is essential and that a chief steward should be appointed with a supervisor for each zone.
It also stipulated that a control room should be operational to allow suitable action to be taken.
The code also stated that human pyramiding should be discouraged, as should "surfing", where concert goers crawl over the heads of other fans, and that offenders should be removed accordingly, Mr Romiril said.
Mr David Nolan SC, for Lord Mountcharles, said evidence would be given that there was a 15-20ft control room at the concert which afforded a full view of the site.
There would also be evidence that there was an event controller on duty with a safety officer, a head of security and 537 security staff. In addition, there were 600 gardaí and a Garda helicopter with night vision present. Security agents were equipped with walkie-talkies and security cameras were in place.
When Mr Nolan suggested that even 8,000 security men would not prevent three people taking a run and jump, Mr Romiril said his client claimed the men came from a height as opposed to stumbling on her.
The hearing resumes Tuesday.