Rave organisers must be prosecuted says Dublin senator

A Dublin representative is calling on the organisers of a Dublin city centre outdoor rave to be prosecuted.

Following the weekend event at the Oliver Bond Flats in the city centre, Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney says a warning must go out to others planning or considering organising mass gatherings at a time when Dublin is at a critical stage with Covid transmission.

“The scenes recorded at Oliver Bond flats were extremely disturbing,” Senator Seery Kearney said.

“Residents there deserve to be afforded the same protection that all communities are and those responsible for organising the outdoor rave must be held accountable and prosecuted by An Garda Síochána.

“It is an offence to organise such an event under the public health regulations which were designed to tackle the impact and spread of Covid-19.

“Organising events in breach of guidelines is a penal provision that potentially leads to six months in prison and/or a fine of €2,500.

“That’s a pretty stiff hangover for organising such parties but these provisions must now be used to ensure that the residents at Oliver Bond flats and in all other communities can see such behaviour is not acceptable at this time and organisers will be held accountable.

“Elderly people are frightened at the sights of a mass gathering while they are vulnerable to this virus. I’m urging youth workers and community organisations to engage with young people to press the message with them that they have a significant role to play in containing this virus.

“This is not about demonising the young people, who are naturally frustrated at such a long period of restrictions, but Dublin is on a knife-edge, now is the time for everyone to play their part for people’s health and our social and economic survival as a city.

“We need to target the organisers, and any would be organisers with a clear message that there are penalties for such a breach.

“All authorities are doing their best to tackle the spread of this worldwide pandemic. Indeed, Irish people have shown a tremendous spirit in standing by those on the frontline. This must continue and anyone who puts people’s health at risk must be brought to book. There is simply no other option,” Senator Seery Kearney said.