Police Backtrack On MCD

Dublin police are backtracking on the criticism they laid on MCD after trouble broke out at the Irish promoter’s Swedish House Mafia show in the city’s Phoenix Park July 7.

On Aug. 2 MCD chief Denis Desmond was angry because Justice Minister Alan Shatter made public the covering letter to a report into the event, written by Garda (police) Commissioner Martin Callinan. The letter was highly critical of MCD for failing to implement appropriate security measures.

But a statement issued by the Garda press office Aug. 31 said the trouble came despite the “considerable efforts” of MCD and the Dublin police. Nine people were stabbed, with eight needing medical treatment.

It also acknowledged that MCD “undertook an extensive security operation at the Swedish House Mafia event at Phoenix Park,” and said the trouble – which resulted in 58 arrests and more than 110 charges being filed – was due to the 0.5 percent of the crowd that showed no respect for authority.

Most of the charges were for public disorder, drunkenness and drugs.

Desmond was angered by the initial police criticism because, after meeting with MCD July 10, both sides made it clear that neither party would make further comment until a thorough review of the incident had been carried out.
At the time, he told Pollstar the covering letter was published without any notice or consultation with MCD.

This was despite an agreement with the Garda Commissioner’s Office that further review meetings would be held between both parties prior to the publication of any Garda or MCD reviews,” he said.

The Dublin police also praised MCD’s security at recent shows at the city’s Marlay Park, pointing out that the “enhanced policing and security measures” put in place for the David Guetta show were well-received.