Gardai are hunting the organisers of an all-night rave that took place in a flat complex in Dublin city centre over the weekend.
It comes after prominent local politician Mannix Flynn claimed in an exclusive interview with Dublin Live yesterday that the event, at which a DJ booth was set up in a marquee, was "a drug and rave orgy".
Footage of the estate the following morning showed hundreds of used nitrous oxide cannisters strewn amongst a sea of litter and empty alcohol containers at the complex's all-weather kids' play area, where around 100 revellers had partied until 5am on Sunday morning.
Adding insult to injury, residents who had been too scared to leave their homes as the party raged until dawn were then forced to clean up the disgusting mess after a sleepless night of noise, anxiety and tears.
Gardai said last night that they had received complaints and had sent out patrols to disperse gatherings at the complex, but added that "no breaches" had been detected.
However, a statement from Dublin City Council today - on whose land the rave took place, appears to say otherwise.
It says: "The activity shown on social media in the Oliver Bond Apartment Complex was clearly contrary to current Public Health Guidelines.
"We would advise residents to contact the Gardai when they observe such activity being carried out."
The council's statement comes after Dublin City councillor blasted the landlord for "abandoning" its tenants.
Cllr Flynn also said it was the local authority's responsibility to police the complex and should not be left solely to already-stretched garda resources.
And Gardai have now revealed that they are looking to track down the organisers of the party - adding that they are "also investigating any other breaches of criminal legislation which may have occurred".
An updated statement released today says: "Gardaí responded to reports of a gathering at a residential complex on Oliver Bond Street on Saturday evening 20th September 2020.
"A number of patrols were conducted in the area over the course of the evening and by approximately 11pm Gardaí requested all persons to disperse and maintained a presence in the area.
"Gardaí are not investigating breaches of Public Health Regulations by those in attendance. Social distancing, wearing of masks in public area and other such guidelines are not penal regulations."
However, while disregarding social distancing and other Public Health guidelines are not "penal regulations" the statement adds:
"The HEALTH ACT 1947 (SECTION 31A - TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS) (COVID-19) (NO. 5) REGULATIONS 2020 which came into effect on 19th September 2020 at regulation 15 provide that A person shall not organise, or cause to be organised, a relevant event in a relevant county.
"An Garda Siochana are carrying out an investigation to identify the organiser(s) of this event.
"An Garda Siochana is also investigation any other breaches of criminal legislation which may have occurred."
