Drunk man caused Marquee disturbance

A ONE-day rave at the Marquee last summer was the scene of a disturbance caused by one young man who was so intoxicated that he barged through the crowd in the dance tent, causing people to stumble and spill drinks.

When gardaí approached him, he resisted arrest and was extremely verbally abusive to them.

This was the evidence against Keith McInerney, aged 22, of 39 Fairfields Meadows, Upper Fair Hill, Cork.

Judge Mary Dorgan issued a warrant for his arrest so that he can be brought to court for sentencing on the charges of being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others and engaging in threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour.

Garda Seán Duggan said that he and Garda Ken O’Day were on duty at a one-day rave event at the Marquee at the Showgrounds, Cork, on June 24.

“We were flagged down by a number of people pointing to a disturbance in the dance tent,” he testified at Cork District Court.

“As we were making our way to this area, Keith McInerney ran towards us, knocking off of people, causing them to stumble and spill their drinks, and nearly losing his balance.

“He was clearly intoxicated and there was a strong smell of drink from him and he was trying to get away from us. His eyes were bloodshot and he was stumbling.

“Mr McInerney was arrested at 8.15pm as he was intoxicated to a level that he was a danger to himself and others. He was clearly under the influence of something. He started to resist and we fell to the ground as a result. A member of an ambulance crew had to assist us. I had to apply pepper spray.

“He shouted obscenities at us, mainly calling us ‘filthy c***s’ etc. He was escorted back to the Bridewell.”

The case was listed for hearing. The defendant made no appearance. Solicitor Frank Buttimer confirmed the accused had been notified to attend. Judge Dorgan convicted him in his absence and issued a bench warrant so he could be arrested and brought before the court for sentencing.