Nine Stabbed At Phoenix Park Concert

A summer concert at Dublin's Phoenix Park turned into a nightmare on Saturday when nine men were stabbed, and three died from suspected drugs overdoses.

45,000 people attended the gig featuring dance acts Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris and Snoop Dogg, which took place on a weekend that normally sees the Oxegen music festival being held.

With Oxegen on hiatus, promoters MCD instead hosted a series of concerts in the capital.

But Saturday's event was marred by anti-social behavior and street drinking in the vicinity of the concert.

Nine people were stabbed in at least two incidents, three of them seriously.

All the victims were male and aged in the late teens or early 20s.

A 23 year old man appeared in court Monday charged in connection with the stabbings.

He was arrested by an off-duty Garda at the concert, and is believed to have been responsible for several of the stabbings

Gardai believe more than one person was involved.

Meanwhile, three others who attended the concert died from suspected drugs overdoses.

One man sought medical attention at the concert after feeling ill.

He was taken to James Connolly hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead.

The young man was not identified for more than 24 hours after he died, and Gardai had to make a public appeal for people to check on their family and friends who attended the gig.

Another young man from Laois died a few hours after leaving the venue on Saturday night, and a third man in Meath who died from an overdose may also have been at the gig.

In a statement, Denis Desmond of MCD condemned the violence at the concert.

"Obviously we are very disappointed that an individual or very small number of individuals engaged in anti-social behavior, attempting to spoil the enjoyment of others," he said.

"Such behavior is certainly not reflective of the vast majority of the 45,000 fans who were extremely well behaved and should be congratulated."

"Public safety is always our number one priority and we actively engage in detailed planning in advance to ensure this. Ticket holders entering the site were subject to a search permissible by law. Every precaution as far as possible was taken to ensure the safety and security of the audience at all times. All CCTV footage captured from the area has been supplied to the Gardai.

"Despite our best efforts (with Security and Gardai personnel levels well in excess of the required numbers for a licensed event of this size) there is only so much one can do to combat anti-social behavior".

Over 30 people in all were arrested for public order offences at the concert.