Gardaí arrest two people for driving under the influence at Electric Picnic in Laois

Gardaí are warning festival goers to expect to be tested for drink and drugs if they drive to or from the Electric Picnic. 

Two drivers were arrested on Friday night at Electric Picnic for driving while intoxicated. One driver tested positive for drugs and the second tested positive for alcohol. Gardaí said both arrests were linked to the Electric Picnic. 

The detections are part of Operation Surround which gardaí have in place around the Electric Picnic all weekend. 

“If you are at the Picnic chances are you will be breath sampled on the way home,” a senior garda warned. 

He urged people who were travelling daily to the sit to use the public transport and shuttle buses which he said were operating well. There were some delays on the N80 on Friday night due to gardaí carrying out drug and breath testing as part of Operation Surround. 

Although there were a few medical emergencies linked to drugs and a warning over high strength  MDMA was issued by the HSE, gardaí say the event is going well. It’s understood two people were particularly unwell but nobody had to be brought to hospital. 

“Overall a quiet night. Everybody had a great time, a party atmosphere,” the senior garda said. 

“Our drug unit are quite busy in there. There  is no great change in patterns,” he said. The drugs most commonly being detected are cocaine and MDMA, he explained.

High strength MDMA pills are in circulation at @EPfestival . These are causing medical emergencies, including fits. It’s safer not to use drugs at all but if you do #StartlowGoslow mind yourself and care for others. #ReduceTheHarmshttps://t.co/233FOhoCdT pic.twitter.com/vsJ6bmRj0m

— HSE Drugs.ie (@drugsdotie) August 16, 2024

Meanwhile, the traffic plan appears to be working well and gardaí say there have been no major issues.