THE concert promoters, MCD, said last night they would welcome a statutory code of practice for large indoor events, after incidents of crowd crushing during a show by The Fugees at the Point Theatre.
The hit US rap band has been banned by MCD and will not be engaged again, after a member of the group "crowd surfed" at the concert. Both the promoters and Point management confirmed this yesterday, following scenes reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins concert last May, at which a young girl died.
The incident on Wednesday night came just hours after the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, in the Dail called for a voluntary code of practice to ensure safety at indoor events attended by large crowds.
Mr Bruton said that the guidelines would be a short term measure pending the introduction of comprehensive compulsory standards backed by law and that there were crucial lessons to be learned from the death of Bernadette O'Brien (16), from Midleton, Co Cork.
He was responding to a question from Mr Willie O'Dea (FF, Limerick East) as to whether the recommendations of the Hamilton committee on safety at public events, prompted by the Hillsborough disaster, would be implemented by the Government.
Mr Eamonn O'Boyle, assistant chief fire officer for Dublin Fire Brigade, also yesterday supported calls for a code of practice to regulate all aspects of such events.
Mr Denis Desmond, of MCD, who went on stage before the show to request restrained behaviour from the crowd, said he would support a statutory code of practice for indoor concerts up by the relevant authorities.
He strongly criticised Wyclef Jean of The Fugees for diving into the crowd and said he had apologised afterwards to the promoters for his "impulsive" act. The Fugees, who had a worldwide hit with their version of Roberta Flack's Killing me Softly would not be invited to Ireland for future concerts, Mr Desmond said.
"There was an incident which should not have happened when a member of the band threw himself into the crowd. It was silly, stupid behaviour, and he should not have done it. The situation up to that point was absolutely wonderful, the crowd were just dancing to the music," he said.
"I think there should be a statutory code of practice. In certain states in America for example, musicians can be arrested for inciting the crowd. We have to have a situation which is controlled. At the moment we don't have anything."
The Point Theatre said in a statement that only two people were treated in hospital for minor injuries and 107 others were seen by the Red Cross. There were 120 security personnel on duty, well above the recommended 85 for that size of concert.
The theatre management expressed "deep disappointment with the behaviour of The Fugees" and said the venue would not be available to the group in the future.
Mr Stephen McElwee (17), a fan from Dundrum, Dublin, described how young girls had been trampled during surges by the crowd towards the stage and expressed shock at the crowd surfing by the band's singer.