Garda Commissioner rejects criticism of policing parties and gatherings

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris rejected suggestions they have taken a "hands off" approach to policing house parties and gatherings. File Picture.

Garda bosses have rejected criticisms of taking a “hands off approach” to policing parties and large gatherings, including recent ones in Cork, Galway and Dublin.

Commissioner Drew Harris told the Policing Authority that while gatherings such as the recent one at the Spanish Arch in Galway are “irresponsible behaviour”, his officers only had enforcement powers in relation to people who organise events, not those attending them.