Number of bank holiday arrests ‘higher than a normal weekend’
Supt Barry McPolin, who is in charge of policing the city centre, said that 40 arrests had been made, mainly involving people in their 20s and 30s.
Supt McPolin said that jazz fans had been well-behaved, but other revellers who had come into the city centre were not.
The senior garda said gardaí were investigating 12 complaints of assault as alcohol-fuelled fights broke out in places like Grand Parade, St Patrick Street and Oliver Plunkett St.
Fortunately, he said, there were no stabbings or serious assaults recorded, but he added gardaí were kept very busy with policing the large number of revellers who thronged the city centre, especially last Saturday night.
“It was a busy weekend and the number of public order incidents were above par for the average weekend. There were a number of assaults, but they were minor and most of them were drink-related. Traffic and pedestrian volumes were also particularly busy on the Saturday.”
In recent times gardaí have encountered more and more young people coming into the city after already having consumed alcohol.
This is sparking public order incidents at earlier times than normal.
“We are continuing to investigate all of the 12 incidents of assault that were reported to us,” said Supt McPolin.
