PHA Open to Exploring Drug Testing at Music Festivals After Belfast Deaths
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has indicated it would be open to considering drug testing at concerts and festivals in Northern Ireland, following the deaths of two young people at last weekend’s Emerge dance festival in Belfast.
PHA Director of Public Health, Dr Joanne McClean, stressed that while the agency could explore drug testing, legal, licensing, and resourcing challenges would need to be addressed. “There are legislative elements to this, there are licensing elements and there are resourcing issues as well,” she told BBC Radio Ulster. She reiterated that illegal drug possession remains a crime, with the police committed to prosecution.
At the same time, other UK and Irish festivals, such as Electric Picnic in the Republic of Ireland, have already implemented back-of-house drug checking services, allowing confidential analysis by healthcare professionals and chemists. Charities like The Loop also provide similar services to reduce harm at major events.
The two fatalities at Emerge, 17-year-old Mia Keevan from County Tipperary and 24-year-old Trae Keenan from County Down, are currently under police investigation. While Keenan’s family stated his death was unrelated to drugs, the circumstances of both cases are still being examined. Several arrests were made during the festival weekend.
Belfast City Council councillors have voiced frustration over what they describe as a lack of timely information from the PHA, warning that social media speculation could distort public understanding of event safety. “The narrative is being controlled by social media,” said Alliance Party councillor Micky Murray.
Festival organisers expressed condolences to the families and emphasized safety as a top priority. In a statement, Emerge Festival confirmed full cooperation with authorities and refrained from further comment while investigations continue. The event, Northern Ireland’s largest dance music festival, typically attracts around 40,000 attendees daily and featured headliners such as Fatboy Slim and Bicep this year.
Dr McClean concluded that, from a public health perspective, the safest approach remains for attendees to avoid unknown or illegal substances, noting the risks involved.