'Gardaí clash with punk rockers': When the Cure caused a riot in Cork 

Paul McDermott looks back to that headline-grabbing incident near the Arcadia in the 1980s, and other connections with Ireland for Robert Smith and co 
Robert Smith of The Cure on stage in the early 1980s. Picture: Gie Knaeps/Getty Images.

Robert Smith of The Cure on stage in the early 1980s. Picture: Gie Knaeps/Getty Images.

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025 - 20:21
Paul McDermott

“Gardaí clash with punk rockers” ran a headline on the front page of this newspaper on Monday 25 May 1981. The accompanying news story detailed how the previous Saturday night “gangs of youths were fighting on the Lower Glanmire Road.”

Gardaí brought, “the visiting gangs of punk rock enthusiasts under control”. Nine arrests were made in total.

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'Gardaí clash with punk rockers': When the Cure caused a riot in Cork 

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