Updated 8.05pm
A TOTAL OF 63 people were arrested at the Eminem concern in Slane, including 5 for assault, according to provisional figures released this evening.
Gardaí said that the figure is “very much in line” with events of this size. An estimated 80,000 people attended the concert in Meath last night.
Aside from the reported assaults, most of the arrests – 35 – were for minor drug offences. Another 22 people were arrested for public order offences, which cover being drunk, threatening or abusive in a public place while 1 person was arrested for drink-driving.
A massive security and public safety operation was put in place with more than 750 gardaí on duty amid concerns of violence at the concert. Promoters MCD took out advertisements in newspapers this week telling fans to behave and warning that drunk people would be refused entry to the gig.
Superintendent Michael Devine, who oversaw the operation, said the vast majority of fans took on board the advice given before the gig.
Concert-goers were subjected to at least three searches by stewards checking for drugs, weapons and alcohol before they were able to enter the venue.
MCD and An Garda Síochána thanked the residents of Slane and the fans who attended the event for their cooperation.
- Originally published at 5.26pm
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