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An Garda Síochána has confirmed that he is investigating an illegal rave that caused extensive damage to a rented house in Co Laois, for violations of public health restrictions and criminal damages.
More than 80 people are believed to have attended the rave, with videos of the event, seen by The Irish Times, showing people dancing together without masks or social distancing.
The homeowner was unaware of the riot, which took place on December 12, and found the property “absolutely destroyed” afterward.
A Garda spokeswoman confirmed that the Gardaí in Portlaoise was investigating an “incident of criminal mischief and alleged violations of the Health Law of 1947”.
“It is believed that a rented property was used to host a large gathering of people. A significant amount of criminal damage was caused to the property, which was discovered by the owners upon inspection of the property, ”he said.
“A Garda Síochána is conducting an investigation to identify the organizer (s) of this event. An Garda Síochána is also investigating any other infraction of criminal law that may have occurred, ”he said.
Photos taken after an illegal rave attended by more than 80 people at a house in Co Laois. Photo: Lisa Wilkinson
Under temporary Covid-19 laws, it is a crime to organize an event that violates public health restrictions on gatherings, with fines ranging from € 500 to € 2,500, or six months in prison on conviction.
The property owner had rented it through Airbnb to a person who claimed he wanted to rent the house for a weekend outing with coworkers.
Lisa Wilkinson, whose partner owns the home, said the property was “absolutely destroyed” after the rave.
She said the inside of the house was littered with empty beer cans and bottles, using nitrous oxide laughing gas canisters and other garbage strewn on the floor.
In the middle of the disaster, several mostly empty bags were also found, which appeared to have been used to transport other drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy pills.
The group behind the rave organized the Co Laois event through a private Instagram and Snapchat account on social media.
The group had also announced tickets to a rave in Dublin on New Year’s Eve, further violating Level 5 public health restrictions.
In a post on a private Instagram page last week, the group started selling € 35 tickets to a Dublin “warehouse” rave, complete with techno and house DJs and a “fully stocked bar.” However, the post announcing the Dublin event was removed on Wednesday.
People can only view posts or send messages to accounts after requesting to follow the private account and being approved.
People buy tickets through an online link and after providing proof of purchase they are added to a WhatsApp group chat.
For the rave in Co Laois, organizers informed people that an initial pickup location would be provided in the group chat and from there attendees would be transported by bus to the venue, which was not disclosed beforehand.
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