Festival security bill to rise after village violence

FESTIVAL organisers may have to pay for more garda protection at such events if they want to prevent the type of violence which broke out in a normally very peaceful village in Co Cork last weekend.

Cllr Michael Hegarty, chairman of the county’s Joint Policing Committee, said he was appalled at the “mindless thuggery” which led to gang fights and five cases of assault causing actual harm on the streets of Shanagarry, near Midleton.

The worst trouble flared on Saturday night as revellers left the 35th annual Miss Blue Jeans Festival.