Gardaí break up 100-strong birthday party in Blarney

The birthday party is believed to have been held in a shed that normally contains machinery.

No arrests have been made but an investigation is underway, gardaí said.

A birthday party in Cork had to be broken up by gardaí on Thursday night at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 100 mostly maskless people not adhering to social distance guidelines ordered to disperse.

Gardaí confirmed that they arrived to a venue in Blarney around 11pm, which they described as a shed, where a “large gathering in excess of 100 people was taking place”.

They stopped the event and the gathered crowd was dispersed without any public order incidents, gardaí said.

It came on the night that a further 6,521 cases of Covid-19 were reported to public health officials, with 10 deaths also confirmed.

Positivity rates, which have been climbing since November, are “exceptionally high” for the last week, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said just hours before the Blarney incident occurred, and the health service is stretched to breaking point with record numbers of Covid patients admitted.

Despite repeated pleas from public health officials, frontline staff, and ministers, there continues to be flouting of guidelines by cohorts of people blatantly ignoring or disregarding any requests to stay at home, reduce contacts and wear face coverings. 

A number of shebeens throughout the country have been raided in recent weeks, with court appearances expected to follow.

Meanwhile, Galway County Council announced this week that some public amenities such as the famous Blackrock diving Tower in Salthill in Galway would have to be closed off, because the large volume of visitors was becoming a hazard.

In relation to the Blarney incident, it is believed that those in attendance may have been celebrating an 18th birthday, with many coming from outside a 5km radius.

The venue is believed to be a shed that normally contains machinery.

No arrests have been made but an investigation is underway, gardaí said.

“An investigation under The Health Act 1947 has commenced in respect of the organisation and attendance by persons at this event and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Personal social responsibility, wearing of face coverings and social distancing are public health guidelines and should be followed by all individuals.

“The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to demonstrate personal and social responsibility to comply with public health guidelines and regulations, in order to continue to save lives,” gardaí said.

There was a bolstering of garda presence on roads announced earlier this week, with additional static checkpoints on national routes under Operation Fanacht, and additional re-deployment of gardaí to the frontline.