Councillors say 'narrative controlled by social media' after festival goers die

Mia Keevan, 17, and Trae Keenan died in separate incidents after attending Emerge music festival

Belfast councillors have expressed frustration at what have they said is a lack of information from the Public Health Agency (PHA) following the deaths of two people who died after attending the Emerge dance music festival in Belfast at the weekend.

Mia Keevan, 17, from County Tipperary became unwell at the event and died shortly afterwards in hospital.

In a separate incident, 24-year-old Trae Keenan, from County Down, died in rented accommodation in the city centre a few hours after the event ended.

Two other people remain in hospital after attending the dance festival.

The PHA said it "cannot comment on ongoing investigations by the PSNI".

Councillors met senior council officials earlier at Belfast City Council.

Police are investigating the deaths. But they have not commented on whether their investigations involve a drugs link.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said it was important not to speculate about a drugs link until the facts are clearly established

In correspondence seen by BBC News NI, between Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, Nesbitt said he shared "concerns about the circumstances" surrounding the deaths.

"However, there is an ongoing police investigation into circumstances surrounding these tragic incidents and it is important to give the PSNI time to complete that investigation which in turn should help inform the longer-term response needed," Nesbitt said.

"It is important that we do not mislead the public or speculate on connections between current cases or suggest this was a result of the use of drugs or even specific batches of drugs, until the facts are clearly established."

'Rumours not helpful'

The meeting comes after Belfast City Council officers met the organisers of Emerge and other key stakeholders on Wednesday for a "de-brief".

Alliance Party councillor, Micky Murray, who asked for the meeting, told BBC's Talkback programme that it is "incredibly disappointing" that the PHA has not made themselves available to discuss recent events.

Murray said this has allowed "that narrative to be controlled by social media" and speculation over the recent deaths of two festival goers last week.

He added that it has also allowed for conversations on public safety at events which he is "onboard with".

He added that health and safety is important, especially as other large festivals and events take place across Belfast.

Councillor Micky Murray says councillors are disappointed with the lack of communication the council has had with PHA

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth echoed Murray's views and said the lack of communication from the PHA has "fuelled online speculation and created a vacuum" on how safe events are and what is being done to keep people safe.

Smyth said councillors have asked that senior officials approach the PHA straight away and seek clarity.

"This comes in light of information released by the Electric Picnic festival in the Republic for people to be aware of high potency MDMA that is in circulation," Smyth added.

Councillors have told BBC News NI that "questions need to be answered".

Emerge music festival is the biggest dance music event in Northern Ireland.

It usually takes place over the August bank holiday weekend at Boucher Playing Fields in south Belfast and attracts crowds of about 40,000 dance music fans each day.

This year the festival was headlined by Fatboy Slim on Saturday and Bicep on Sunday, while Sammy Virji, Fjaak, Sonny Fodera and Danny Howard were also on the line up.

Shine productions, which organised the festival, has been approached for comment.

Around 80,000 people attended the Emerge festival over the weekend

Mia was visiting Belfast from Carrick-on-Suir to attend the event.

Investigations are still continuing into what caused her death.

Belfast district commander Supt Allister Hagan said: "During the event it was reported that a 17-year-old girl had become unwell. Sadly, she subsequently died in hospital."

Mr Keenan also attended the festival and took unwell and died after he returned to his rented accommodation in Belfast.

He worked as a chef and had a four-month-old son.

The Irish News reported Mr Keenan had previously suffered from heart complications and asthma.

The family told the newspaper he had suffered a panic attack and his death was not linked to drugs.

Police are still investigating both deaths and said a number of arrests were made over the weekend.

Supt Hagan said several organisations - including the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council were involved with making sure the festival passed off safely.

He said officers made seven arrests over the weekend and issued three fixed penalty notices, one caution and nine community resolution notices.

He said offences included disorderly behaviour, drink-driving, assault on police and possession of controlled drugs.

'Aware of concern in the community'

Professor Anne Campbell, from the Drug and Alcohol Research Network at Queen's University Belfast, said, in reference to worries around MDMA at concerts like Electric Picnic, the "old school MDMA" was a tablet, but it's now being used as a powder.

Speaking on Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, Professor Campbell said the drug can have "different hues" of colour.

"We were aware that an orange, reddy, brown substance of powder was being used by young people and they were putting that substance into water or their alcohol."

She said users are taking "large amounts" of a powder and "they do not know what is within the powder and they are not measuring the dose".

Professor Campbell says "an orange, reddy, brown substance of powder" is being used by young people

A PHA spokesperson said the agency was "aware of concern in the community around safety and wellbeing at events".

The spokesperson said it was important that people take steps to help keep themselves and those around them safe at any upcoming concerts.

"Taking unknown substances or taking something when you cannot be sure of the contents could cause serious illness or even be fatal. It is important to remember that it is impossible to know what may be contained in these substances.

"All drugs, whether it is alcohol, illegal substances or prescription medication, carry risks, and this danger increases greatly when you mix drugs, including alcohol.

"Mixing different types of drugs is unpredictable, can increase the toxicity of already potentially harmful substances and increases the risk of serious harm.

"The primary risk factors when using drugs include taking too much of a substance, taking a substance over an extended period of time, taking a large amount of a substance over a short period of time (bingeing), mixing drugs with other drugs and/or alcohol, and using drugs on your own."

PHA advice

The PHA said that with any drug or medicine there are three key things to bear in mind:

• What is the dose? If you take too much of it you could die

• What are you taking it for? If it is not clinically prescribed for you, then it could be dangerous

• If you are taking it with something else, for example mixing it with alcohol or other drugs, it could impact your mental and physical health and cause serious harm

The PHA would also encourage parents and guardians to talk to young people about the risks of alcohol and drugs.

Source: PHA