Gardaí break up house party at Mulberry Park
GARDAÍ have confirmed they were called to a house in Mulberry Park on December 17 th last after receiving reports a gathering was taking place.
Although the An Garda Síochána Press Office could not confirm how many people were in attendance, a video taken by a local resident in the area shows over 70 young people exiting the property.
At approximately 11.25pm on Thursday, December 17 th gardaí attended the scene and gave direction to all present to disperse and received compliance.
Covid-19 Level 3 restrictions were still in place at the time of the gathering.
Under Level 3 restrictions, people should not have any visitors to their home or garden except for essential reasons, for example, providing care to a child or to an elderly or vulnerable person.
Under the more relaxed easing of restrictions which came into place on December 18th states meetings with people from up to two other households in your home or garden or in other places outdoors.
Videos had previously circulated online last September when the new third level academic year began.
Following those videos Sligo IT issued a statement to The Sligo Champion saying the third level institution ‘strongly condemns’ all gatherings that breach public health guidelines.
The IT had stated that any gatherings that breach public health guidelines will be reported and the students who host and attend these parties would be immediately suspended from the Institute for 14 days as a matter of health and safety.
They had previously said an internal investigation would take place in relation to large gatherings taking place and appropriate action would be taken in line with its Student Charter which has penalties up to and including expulsion.
IT President Brendan McCormack confirmed earlier in the year that extra gardaí would be monitoring student accommodation.
Predominantly lectures have been online at the institute and only those who have to attend essential labs have been on campus.
IT Sligo’s Student Union had adopted a new campaign,’Keep it small, keep it safe and keep your distance’.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion earlier this year about the campaign, Student Union President Jason Quinn, acknowledged students had gone through a tough time, and the campaign was there to ensure nobody felt isolated.
But, the SU president did not condone any get togethers which were in breach of government guidelines and said everyone needed to continue to work together to curb the spread of the virus.
Quinn had said, “We’re not trying to tell people not to meet up, we’re telling people that when they do meet up, keep within the guidelines.”