29 arrests made at Kinsale 7s

Gardaí seized close to €11,000 worth of suspected drugs and arrested 29 people in Kinsale over the bank holiday weekend.

As part of the policing plan for the Kinsale 7s Rugby Festival, gardaí deployed additional plainclothes members from the Divisional Drugs Unit in and around the town of Kinsale in an attempt to manage the large crowds of people attracted by the annual sporting event. Additional members from the Roads Policing Unit were also deployed.

As a result, 29 people were arrested for incidents of public order, possession of drugs and drink/drug driving.

Speaking at Bandon Garda Station, Superintendent Brendan Fogarty said: "We had well over 20,000 people come through Kinsale over the bank holiday weekend, the vast majority were respectful and complied with gardaí and stewards. However, we had 60 detections for possession of suspected drugs, mostly cocaine, which amounted to approximately €11,000.

“Six people also took the risk of getting behind the wheel with drugs or alcohol in their system. People who do this are putting themselves, our families, and our friends at risk by driving whilst intoxicated. If you are going out and want to have a few drinks, leave the car at home. Never ever drink and drive.”