Fans dry out in sunshine after mudbath

The verdict of Garda Cyril Price from Drogheda on the majority of music fans attending the Witnness festival at the weekend was…

The verdict of Garda Cyril Price from Drogheda on the majority of music fans attending the Witnness festival at the weekend was that they were "a credit to their country and their parents".

While the majority of fans were well behaved, there were some arrests and alcohol casualties at the festival in Fairyhouse racecourse.

Civil Defence volunteer Mr Jason Corcoran said: "We've had lots of casualties, people drinking too much and blacking out."

By yesterday evening, gardai had carried out 673 seizures of drugs, mostly ecstasy and cannabis and some cocaine and speed. In all, 13 people were arrested - six for supplying drugs and seven for public order offences.

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But these were the exceptions, said Garda Price. Most of the young people he met were well behaved and some even wanted to have their photograph taken with him. "Where else in the world could a policeman in uniform walk through a crowd of 30,000 young people and not get abuse?

Sunday's sunshine helped the revellers forget about the heavy rain that turned Fairyhouse into a mudbath on Saturday.

Music fans' thoughts turned to mud-wrestling on Saturday afternoon as the ground became increasingly squishy due to several downpours.

The fighting Hudner brothers from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, put on a particularly good show. It wasn't clear whether Darra, the elder, or Aidan, the younger, came out on top, but both were covered in muck from head to toe when the good-humoured bout was over.

Best friends Therese Fitzsimons (18), from Artane, and Carla Furlong (17), from Clondalkin, were also mudwrestling. "We're really dirty and we don't care," they shouted.

Just as The Waterboys' set was drawing to a close on the main stage at around 6 p.m. the heavens opened and lightning flashes were greeted with cheers from punters who scurried to take shelter in the four marquees.

Those who stood outside could watch a spectacular light show, as forked lightning split the Meath skyline.

White plastic ponchos with Witnness logos were snapped up, but the clear plastic version was preferred by girls determined to show off their bikinitops - whatever the weather.

Most people were taking the rain in good spirits, according to Tower Records' operation manager, Mr Brendan Hickey, who closed down his stall when the rain got heavy.

"Some VIPs seem to think it shouldn't have rained on them, though," he said.

Yesterday's pleasant weather took many people by surprise and there were hundreds of sunburned noses and shoulders.

Laura Lynch (19) from Wexford, who camped overnight, said it felt like she'd "woken up in a different place". She and a friend had to buy new clothes because their outfits were ruined the night before. But it hadn't dampened their spirits.

"Camping is the best part. I'd hate to come here and not camp. Even when the weather is bad, its the best part," she said.

James, Placebo and Fun Lovin' Criminals kept things breezing along yesterday, but failed to light up the day.

In the Witnness More tent, however, former Pixie Frank Black delivered a scorching set, helped by his new band, the Catholics. .

To get the best out of Witnness this weekend, you had to avoid staid old rockers like Texas, Paul Weller, The Charlatans and Jimmy Barnes, and seek out new artists you've only read about.

Gemma Hayes proved she has the fire and flair to go all the way, while Turin Brakes, Elbow and Ed Harcourt proved themselves worthy of their Mercury Music Prize nominations.

But for many of the revellers the highlight of the weekend was Welsh band Stereophonics' performance on Saturday night. Like them or loathe them, 30,000 kids singing along in Fairyhouse provided proof that their songs have become modern-day rock anthems.