Youths go on rampage after discos close

August 1992

Garda reinforcements had to be rushed into Courtown Harbour in the early hours of Sunday morning last to help local Gardaí quell a major disturbance involving upwards of 200 Dublin youths who were in the North Wexford resort for the weekend.

The Gardaí had to make a baton charge to disperse the youths. None of the Gardaí were injured and there were no reports of any of the young people being injured either. After about an hour, order was restored in the resort.

A Garda spokesman said that ‘a very explosive situation’ developed at one stage. A considerable amount of damage was caused, and there were numerous arrests.

Trouble began to build up between 3.30 a.m. and 4 a.m. after the discos ended. Gangs of young people began to gather on the North Pier in the resort, intent on a confrontation with the local Gardaí, who managed to confine them to the North Pier area.

The youths, some as young as 14 years, hurled abuse and missiles, including both empty and full beer cans, at the Gardaí. They also raced a number of bangers of cars around the Pier and Burrow Road areas, executing handbrake turns and taunting the small force of Gardaí to give chase.

Garda reinforcements were brought in from Wexford, Enniscorthy, Bunclody, Arklow, and Wicklow. The force of 14 Gardaí then drew their batons, charged the youths, and dispersed them.

Other incidents on Sunday morning included a car being burned out on North Pier, while another car was either driven or pushed down the boat slipway and into the harbour. Two bikes were also found in the harbour on Sunday morning.

At least five cars were broken into and had their radios stolen, but some of these recovered. Some other cars were also damaged. A car that was stolen in Dublin on Friday was found in Courtown, and while some cars were also stolen but later recovered.