The University of Limerick has vowed to take “strong disciplinary measures” against any student involved in a street party broken up by Gardaí last night.

Three people were arrested and 30 fines were issued after Gardaí broke up the gathering on College Court in Castletroy yesterday evening.

Videos posted online showed a crowd of young people singing, dancing and setting off fireworks on the residential street shortly after 7pm.

Gardaí said a “significant number of units” attended the scene to bring the party to an end.

Significant number of Gardaí attended a public order incident in Castletroy this evening. Three arrests and over 30 FPNs for breach of Covid Regulations. Investigations ongoing to establish organisers of street party. pic.twitter.com/huO1c6Y0xz

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 2, 2021

Two men in their 20s were arrested under Public Order legislation while a third was arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Some 30 fines were issued for breaches of public health regulations and investigators are now working to identify the organisers of the event.

"Strong disciplinary measures"

The housing estate is not far from the University of Limerick (UL) and is home to portion of the student body.

UL President Kerstin Mey warned all students that they are subject to a code of conduct.

“UL will take action with strong disciplinary measures against any student who has been found to have breached public health guidelines,” she said.

"Unacceptable behaviour"

Local Councillor Michael Murphy told Newstalk that the estate is also home to a number of elderly residents.

“Everyone has to learn a lesson from this,” he said.

“It is just unacceptable behaviour and it just has to stop. People have to get on with the guidelines set down by the college and respect their neighbours in the vicinity they are living in.

“Those houses are there for 30 or 40 years so now we are talking about some of the residents are in the retired age group so we have to respect the residents of the area.”

He said the situation was “very disappointing” for the area.

“They gathered in a large group and some fireworks were set off,” he said.

“We have all seen the video footage there tonight and it is very disappointing.

“My own belief is that the university genuinely was trying to get a handle on this and trying to be helpful with the residents’ associations in the area.”

Four Es

Gardaí said they attempted to engage with the young people on their arrival using the so-called ‘Four Es response’ – Engage, Explain, Encourage and, as a last resort, Enforce.

The investigation is continuing and file will be prepared for the DPP.