Gardai shut down Spraoi gig

Psychedelic

Saturday, 2nd August - Garter Lane courtyard - about 6.15pm

There was a good crowd of maybe 200 people at “Tech Park”, a dance music event which was part of the official Spraoi programme, and was featured in the Spraoi booklet. So why was this gig shut down by the local Gardai? They showed up and asked local DJ Alan Harris to turn off the music and told everyone to go away! I don’t know what their reason is, other than they hate dance music and people having a great time. There was nothing illegal being committed. Everyone was just dancing, enjoying themselves. The crowd was made up of people from about 12 to 30 years old. I didn’t see any underage drinking or people on drugs. In fact this event had a few security guards not letting people in with drink, the reason being because it was a “family event.” Of course some people managed to get a drink in, but that’s hardly reason enough for a dozen Gardai to raid the place. No one was arrested, searched or questioned. There were a few detectives included in the Gardai, and I recognised the man who made the DJ turn off the music is with the DS, which would suggest that the gig was shut down for drug related reasons.

There was a lot of booing and chants for one more tune when the music stopped. Everyone eventually made their way out of Garter Lane courtyard to see a paddy wagon and another bunch of Gardai outside on O’Connell Street. More chanting by the crowd before everyone gradually dispersed.

It’s an absolute disgrace that the Gardai can just shut down an event that is part of Spraoi. Imagine if they closed down any other event? Don’t the Gardai have more important things to be doing than ruining a Spraoi event?

Sully

First I heard of it, but the guards dont usually shut down anything without authorisation from higher authorities and without good reason.

Fajitas!

Psychedelic wrote: »

It’s an absolute disgrace that the Gardai can just shut down an event that is part of Spraoi. Imagine if they closed down any other event? Don’t the Gardai have more important things to be doing than ruining a Spraoi event?

To be honest, I doubt they did it for the laugh. Reasons are not always apparent, but to say they closed it because they hate dance music is just silly.

Not everything has full authorisation to go ahead for the week, and a lot of things are taken for granted.

Psychedelic

i can't think of any reason why this event had to be stopped. nothing illegal was happening.

Not everything has full authorisation to go ahead for the week

this event was in the spraoi brochure - check it out on www.spraoi.com - this would surely mean the event had the authority to go ahead?

ec18

Psychedelic wrote: »

i can't think of any reason why this event had to be stopped. nothing illegal was happening.

Can you honestly say that you know for a fact that everybody who was at that gig was doing nothing illegal? You say that there was no drugs did you personally search everyone to be sure of that fact?

Sully

There could be many reasons why the gig was shutdown. You have made the accusation before that Gardai are out to get those into dance and shut any event playing dance down. You dont know the facts, dont go spouting stuff you dont know anything about.

Chochese

200 people you say? Garter Lane courtyard you say?

From being there, I think the courtyard is fairly small for a capacity like this. Can't be 100% sure though.

Maybe the event was shut down for safety reasons, no?

drunkmonkey

sounds like they were trying to pass off a rave as a family event.....Garda don't like dance music that's a well know fact, more than 120bpm and they'll shut you down...:rolleyes:

Sully

drunkmonkey wrote: »

sounds like they were trying to pass off a rave as a family event.....

I doubt Sparoi would do it, they need the Guards permission to run any such event.

Garda don't like dance music that's a well know fact, more than 120bpm and they'll shut you down...:rolleyes:

Fact? Where is your proof?

Phototoxin

Can you honestly say that you know for a fact that everybody who was at that gig was doing nothing illegal? You say that there was no drugs did you personally search everyone to be sure of that fact?

then we should shut down schools because can you honestly say that you know for a fact that everybody who was at that school was doing nothing illegal? You say that there was no drugs did you personally search everyone to be sure of that fact?

Chochese

What time was the event shut down by the gardaí?

Sully

Phototoxin wrote: »

then we should shut down schools because can you honestly say that you know for a fact that everybody who was at that school was doing nothing illegal? You say that there was no drugs did you personally search everyone to be sure of that fact?

If a school was being used to deal drugs or to get pissed, the Guards would be in there pretty fast and root out the cause of shut it down.

Illegal activities in a school is very serious business.

Psychedelic

200 people you say? Garter Lane courtyard you say?

could have been well less than that, i'm not sure to be honest but there was a good crowd there.

Can you honestly say that you know for a fact that everybody who was at that gig was doing nothing illegal? You say that there was no drugs did you personally search everyone to be sure of that fact?

sure the city centre was full of other events and people could easliy be on drugs or whatever. could you imagine the gardai shutting down the AOL stage in John Roberts Square because of a few people they suspected someone doing something illegal, and then telling the whole crowd to leave? it's madness, really is.

Chochese

Chochese wrote: »

What time was the event shut down by the gardaí?

Anybody??

Sully

Psychedelic wrote: »

sure the city centre was full of other events and people could easliy be on drugs or whatever. could you imagine the gardai shutting down the AOL stage in John Roberts Square because of a few people they suspected someone doing something illegal, and then telling the whole crowd to leave? it's madness, really is.

It depends how bad it is - usually they will arrest on site but if its getting fairly bad in a confined area I would expect them to move in and shut it down for safety reasons.

Fajitas!

Chochese wrote: »

200 people you say? Garter Lane courtyard you say?

From being there, I think the courtyard is fairly small for a capacity like this. Can't be 100% sure though.

Maybe the event was shut down for safety reasons, no?

Exactly. The might have booked the venue for indoors too, and brought it outdoors. It might even have been Garter Lane that rang the gardai looking for assistance.

Who knows?

And fwiw, I'm sure there are more than a handful of gardai that like dance music. Muscial taste is hardly drilled into them. Fact my arse.

Psychedelic

i don't think there were any health & safety issues. the courtyard wasn't rammed with people. plenty of room to move around.

Chochese wrote: »

What time was the event shut down by the gardaí?

about 6.15pm

ec18

I refer to the OP where it was stated that it didn't look like there were people doing drugs. And there is a difference between the AOL stage and a techno gig in garter lane.

1. AOL stage is out in the open and the main square of town so there is a lot more casual foot traffic. The acts are more diverse and attract a more varied crowd. I'm not saying that there is not a chance that some people who go to the AOL stage are on drugs.

2. Techno Music has a reputation for being synonymous with drug use. So they are monitored more closely than other types of gigs.

Just cause you didn't see anything illegal doesn't mean it wasn't happening. You don't know the reasons for the gig being shut down, so please refrain from giving out about the gardai.

Psychedelic

Fajitas! wrote: »

Exactly. The might have booked the venue for indoors too, and brought it outdoors. It might even have been Garter Lane that rang the gardai looking for assistance.

Who knows?

the event was booked for the courtyard. it says so in the spraoi brochure.

why and what would garter lane need assistance for?

Sully

Im very confident, as in in put money on it, that the guards didnt turn around and decide "Ah this music sucks, fecking dance people. Right lads, lets shut it down".

Also note that Waterford was fully of Gardai from various different stations around Ireland. They were not all Waterford.

Sully

ec18 wrote: »

Just cause you didn't see anything illegal doesn't mean it wasn't happening. You don't know the reasons for the gig being shut down, so please refrain from giving out about the gardai.

Also, a lot of drug use and swapping is very secretive. Not noticeable to the casual eye.

Psychedelic

ec18 wrote: »

Just cause you didn't see anything illegal doesn't mean it wasn't happening. You don't know the reasons for the gig being shut down, so please refrain from giving out about the gardai.

so let's say for argument sake that someone was dealing drugs there - is that reason to shut the whole event down?

i won't stop giving out about the gardai until i hear the official explanation.

Im very confident, as in in put money on it, that the guards didnt turn around and decide "Ah this music sucks, fecking dance people. Right lads, lets shut it down".

i don't think they shut it down based on their taste in music, but they are known for having a bad attitude towards dance music.

Also note that Waterford was fully of Gardai from various different stations around Ireland. They were not all Waterford[/quote]
the main man who got the dj to turn off the decks is based in waterford.

Fajitas!

Psychedelic wrote: »

the event was booked for the courtyard. it says so in the spraoi brochure.

why and what would garter lane need assistance for?

I'm making a guess. As I said at the end of the post, who knows.

There could have been too many people there, putting the area over it's limit, introducing a fire/health hazard. Maybe something was going on that wasn't obvious to the public. Again, who knows.

But it wasn't because the gardai don't like dance/techno etc. Though if you really think it is, you should probably get onto the Garda Ombudsman right away. He'll sort them out...

Sully

Psychedelic wrote: »

so let's say for argument sake that someone was dealing drugs there - is that reason to shut the whole event down?

Stupid argument put forward when we don't know that was the reason, or ever might be the reason.

i won't stop giving out about the gardai until i hear the official explanation.

I guess you don't get on well with the Guards so. The bashing of Guards when you have absolutely no idea AT ALL why it was closed down is just silly.

Go ask the Guards yourself.

i don't think they shut it down based on their taste in music, but they are known for having a bad attitude towards dance music.

And you have proof of this I assume?

the main man who got the dj to turn off the decks is based in waterford.

He needs to get permission from higher authorities before he can shut down an event.

kensutz

If you've got a complaint about them why not ring them and ask them why it was stopped. We don't know the reason so there's no point asking us as to why it was shut down. That or else ring Garter Lane and question them.

Psychedelic

i just rang spraoi (garter lane numbers were ringing out) - person there said it could have been closed down because of drinking, which isn't allowed at garter lane because it's not a licensed premises and there was apparently some disrespect to the building.

Fajitas!

That's 100% understandable.

Fajitas!

Fellah in the background. Without a shadow of a doubt, could be a CB fan.

Now, run up to the charter, and check point No. 5 about image sizes, and get that down to something that I can see in a single screen.

Stokolan

Sully wrote: »

Also, a lot of drug use and swapping is very secretive. Not noticeable to the casual eye.

You would be surprised what you would pick up by just browsing past a crowd.

I was driving past City sqaure yesterday and a certain shop had loud dance music going with a big crowd out side (not a crowd you would like around most places ). Caught a glimps of lads passing a bottle around and sniffing it not caring if people saw or not. Now it was probably only poppers or something like that. But ya think they would have been a bit more discreet with the ammount of kids and that around.

Sully

Psychedelic wrote: »

i just rang spraoi (garter lane numbers were ringing out) - person there said it could have been closed down because of drinking, which isn't allowed at garter lane because it's not a licensed premises and there was apparently some disrespect to the building.

Seriously?

Damn guards. How DARE they enforce the law. How DARE THEY!

Its obvious now folks, that guards hate people who like dance music and clearly and deliberately shut down the event because of the music.

Anyone up for a protest?

the leader 64

the reason i heard is that travelling people were hanging around and was pick pcketing as well.

With all the fighting go on at the moment they should be locked up or better the army should move in with FLAME THROWERS and burn them out.

They are a disgrace to Waterford City

Sully

the leader 64 wrote: »

the reason i heard is that travelling people were hanging around and was pick pcketing as well.

With all the fighting go on at the moment they should be locked up or better the army should move in with FLAME THROWERS and burn them out.

They are a disgrace to Waterford City

Congratulations - you have earned yourself a nice ban

Roen

Sully wrote: »

Seriously?

Damn guards. How DARE they enforce the law. How DARE THEY!

Its obvious now folks, that guards hate people who like dance music and clearly and deliberately shut down the event because of the music.

Anyone up for a protest?

Cop on Sully, the lad did something about what he felt was wrong by calling Garter Lane and Spraoi and stated in a factual manner what he heard.

Your response is utterly uncalled for and in no way relates to that particular post.

ec18

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Do any of these look like Chemical Brothers fans to you:pac:

<snip - see charter>

That doesn't mean they don't listen to the Chemical Brothers. I don't look like a Chemical Brothers fan but i like a few of their songs. And there is a big difference between people not liking music and actually going to the bother of shutting gigs down.

Sully

Roen wrote: »

Cop on Sully, the lad did something about what he felt was wrong by calling Garter Lane and Spraoi and stated in a factual manner what he heard.

Your response is utterly uncalled for and in no way relates to that particular post.

Perhaps I was a bit to harsh, but the OP has yet to apologise for accusing the guards of shutting the festival down because they don't like the music. He was wrong and was insistent he was right.

The OP needs to grow up and cop himself on.

EDIT: Its also worthwhile noting, this is not the first time the OP has made such accusations against the Guards on the Waterford Forum. Garda bashing is not cool.

drunkmonkey

ec18 wrote: »

That doesn't mean they don't listen to the Chemical Brothers. I don't look like a Chemical Brothers fan but i like a few of their songs. And there is a big difference between people not liking music and actually going to the bother of shutting gigs down.

You've completley missed my point, What I was trying to say was that if the Garda know there is a Dance Music event and there are drugs there they will shut it down if possible, as this was such a small event it would have been easy to pull the plug without causing to much fuss.....I don't think this is what happend, I'd say it was got to do with health and saftey or something like that...
I've been at plenty of gigs & partys the guards tried to shut down....it's not uncommon...

Sully

It was shut down due to alchol being consumed on a premisses with no license and some damage was done to the building. The OP decided to actually ask the organisers after slamming the guardai. He got it wrong.

Roen

Fair Enough Sully, apologies for the tone of my post by the way. Hangovers can get the better of me sometimes :pac:

Sully

Roen wrote: »

Fair Enough Sully, apologies for the tone of my post by the way. Hangovers can get the better of me sometimes :pac:

Nah your grand. Id agree with you normally but in this case, the OP needs to be the one to cop on hence my unusual comment

Drinking = Bold

Marcus.Aurelius

If the gig was shut down then something changed since it was previously approved by the local Supt or C/Supt. Ordinary guards only act under the orders of superiors.

To accuse gardaí of shutting a disco/gig down because they didn't like the music is childish and, quite frankly, insulting. There is no "killjoy" element to it.

I can't speculate on the whys of what happened, but there was a reason for it, be it drugs, capacity, public order offences or licensing issues that were not apparent at the outset.

Who told you it was over drugs?

EDIT: Just saw Sully's posts. Licensing issues were the problem.

stick-dan

seriously to whomever said the guards shut it down because of the style of music...

**just rolls eyes to heaven!

Sully

Cleaned the topic. Off topic stuff about being above the law etc. moved to After Hours.

Cabaal

Psychedelic wrote: »

i just rang spraoi (garter lane numbers were ringing out) - person there said it could have been closed down because of drinking, which isn't allowed at garter lane because it's not a licensed premises and there was apparently some disrespect to the building.

This is 100% understandable, its just the Gardai doing their job

Frankly any comments made regarding the Gardai shutting it down because they don't like the music is pure bollox, anyone making such comments needs to grow up

BlaasForRafa

ec18 wrote: »

techno gig

Techno Music

Techno? has anyone called it that in the last decade? showing your age lad :P

and there seems to be a lot of "establishment" attitudes on this thread...wheres the outrage lads.......

drunkmonkey

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Techno? has anyone called it that in the last decade? showing your age lad :P

and there seems to be a lot of "establishment" attitudes on this thread...wheres the outrage lads.......

here's the outrage, back me up if you can against these redneck hicks

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56780750&posted=1#post56780750

Cabaal

drunkmonkey wrote: »

here's the outrage, back me up if you can against these redneck hicks

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56780750&posted=1#post56780750

boards.ie has rules may I suggest that if you don't like them post somewhere else, otherwise take your complaint about sully to feedback or help desk as this forum or afterhours are not the places to do this

Anyway, may I suggest that you once again don't drag this thread or others off topic as it only pisses off other posters when you keep doing it

Psychedelic

Sully wrote: »

The OP needs to grow up and cop himself on.

EDIT: Its also worthwhile noting, this is not the first time the OP has made such accusations against the Guards on the Waterford Forum. Garda bashing is not cool.

:rolleyes:

Sully wrote: »

It was shut down due to alchol being consumed on a premisses with no license and some damage was done to the building. The OP decided to actually ask the organisers after slamming the guardai. He got it wrong.

a few people were drinking cans. i didn't see any people abusing the building but maybe there was. all i saw was everyone dancing. i don't think the gig needed to be shut down because of this, hence why i am still pissed off at the gardai. couldn't they just have arrested the few people who were doing damage instead. it was probably just a few kids or scumbags doing it, why punish everyone else who were behaving. and about the drink on an unlicensed premises, does that mean that anyone drinking on the plaza or in john roberts square would be reason for the gardai to turn off the music.

by the way, the person at spraoi who i spoke to was very clear to me that this was not the official reason the gig was shut down. that is what she heard but didn't know for certain.

Techno? has anyone called it that in the last decade? showing your age lad

techno music is a genre of dance music, so yes people still call it that.

Sully

So wait.. the premises had no license for alcohol yet it had it. They broke the law, and you wanted the Guards to let it slide? Its nothing to do with their like or dislike for the music - at least admit it and apologise for making such a retarded accusation.

EDIT: With regards to alcohol being consumed outside of private property - the Guards wavered the law for the event which is very common. Your fully permitted to drink at the Plaza or John Roberts Square.

Fajitas!

Psychedelic wrote: »

a few people were drinking cans. i didn't see any people abusing the building but maybe there was. all i saw was everyone dancing. i don't think the gig needed to be shut down because of this, hence why i am still pissed off at the gardai. couldn't they just have arrested the few people who were doing damage instead.

From a few people that I was talking to last night, there was property damage to Garter Lane itself, including windows being broken. They were saying that as far as they knew, Garter Lane rang the Gardai themselves.

Psychedelic

Sully wrote: »

So wait.. the premises had no license for alcohol yet it had it. They broke the law, and you wanted the Guards to let it slide? Its nothing to do with their like or dislike for the music - at least admit it and apologise for making such a retarded accusation.

no, garter lane weren't selling the beer, some people just sneaked in a few cans. and what's with the attitude? why are you demanding an apology? you are being very confrontational for a mod, especially with the retard comment.

i said "I don’t know what their reason is, other than they hate dance music and people having a great time." Now i obviously didn't mean that 100% literally, but yes i think the gardai do have a problem with dance music and were only too happy to shut down the event. maybe they could have sent a garda in to make sure no one was doing any damage instead of shutting the whole thing down? there were about 3 garter lane security there too, where were they during the alleged incidents?

Fajitas! wrote: »

From a few people that I was talking to last night, there was property damage to Garter Lane itself, including windows being broken. They were saying that as far as they knew, Garter Lane rang the Gardai themselves.

yeah it sounds like garter lane might have called the gardai if there was damage like that done. just a huge pity that this happened, the atmosphere at the event was absolutely brilliant, didn't see anything like that anywhere else during spraoi.

Fajitas!

Psychedelic wrote: »

there were about 3 garter lane security there too, where were they during the alleged incidents?

Tbh, if there was damage being done, calling the Gardai is the best thing to do - It could have turned out different if 3 chaps volunteering for Spraoi asked the troublemakers to stop, and 3 Gardai asked the troublemakers to stop. In a perfect world though, there wouldn't have been any trouble at all.

yeah it sounds like garter lane might have called the gardai if there was damage like that done. just a huge pity that this happened, the atmosphere at the event was absolutely brilliant, didn't see anything like that anywhere else during spraoi.

It is a shame that it happened, but if it had to be done, it had to be done. Shutting down the gig isn't the easiest of options, and I'm pretty sure that the Gardai didn't enjoy doing it - I'm sure they got their fair share of stick over it, especially when they probably had better things to be doing - Even if that was taking a rest or whatever. I don't think 'shut down' is the first thing that pops into their mind, but because it was probably the only action that was visible to the public and effective in stopping the trouble, people jump to conclusions.