Gardaí in Limerick had to intervene on Tuesday evening to break up a street party in Castletroy involving a upwards of 200 students from the University of Limerick. Those partying failed to respond to Garda requests to disperse, leading to three persons being arrested at the scene. Two men were arrested under Public Order Legislation and one man was arrested under Misuse of Drugs Legislation.
Gardaí have issued 30 fixed payment notices for breaches of the Health Act so far. Gardaí have commenced an investigation into identifying the organisers of the event, and say that a file will be prepared for the DPP. It’s understood that a house party grew into a street party in the Castletroy area, and some of the group released fireworks at the event.
The University of Limerick has said that its students are subject to a Code of Conduct, and that the University will take strong disciplinary action against any student found to have been breaching public health guidelines. Simon Harris, Minister for Higher Education, said that he accepted that students, like everyone, have suffered a lot with Covid 19, however, the scenes in Limerick are “completely unacceptable” and a “slap in the face” to everyone who has sacrificed so much. Minister Harris has said that he has been in contact with the University about the incident.
