A piece in today's Irish Independent has catalogued the unbelieveable series of events at the Oxegen (nope, that idiotic spelling is their idea, not ours) music festival, which took place this weekend just gone. Amongst the more insane, witnesses have claimed that tents (in camping area A) were set on fire, people were brutally attacked and that the security staff (paid, we assume, by promoters and organisers MCD) did nothing to stop the potentially life-threatening violence.
Edel Kennedy from the Indo reports:
'Many furious fans posted details of their experiences on the Oxegen website. However, MCD removed the messages a number of hours after being contacted by the Irish Independent. MCD also refused to answer a number of questions put to it by this newspaper, including details of how many security guards were on duty.
"MCD are ecstatic with the success of the event, as are the gardai and Kildare County Council," said MCD spokesman Justin Green.
In a statement, he also went on to say: "We must warn you that in the event that an article critical of the event is published, we will take whatever action is necessary to prevent damage to the Oxegen event or MCD Productions." (our emphasis)
Legal action?
So. People were attacked. And their property was set on fire. And MCD's response to questions regarding this is to imply legal action against anyone that has the temerity to ask why they did nothing to prevent or stop this?
So, if I were to attend an event organised by MCD and I was to be beaten, ass-banged and pummeled to a pulp in the bathroom, I would run the risk of being sued for claiming these things had happened? Is that correct?
Has it come to the stage now in Ireland where super-corporations can gag, silence and threaten not only the press but the very consumers whose money they're pocketing? If it has come to this then not only is this a sad statement about the state of consumer and human rights in Ireland, but indication, if it were ever needed, that we are regressing back to the 'fumble in the greasy till' scumbaggery that so horribly blighted Ireland as a nation a hundred years ago.
Congratulations MCD. It's no wonder that people think you are grasping, greedy bastards. And no-one will forget it.
Update 25th July
It now appears that MCD have threatened legal action against boards.ie. In response, boards.ie released the following statement:
"Due to threats of legal action directed at boards.ie, a not-for-profit website that hosts the largest online discussion forum in Ireland and has over 60,000 users, the administration of boards.ie have judged it safest to completely censor all references to MCD and anything associated with MCD.
We appreciate that this is a lot of information and it will be difficult for all 60,000 of you to avoid making reference to any of the following in any way, shape or form. However, please see it from our point of view.
MCD have said they have no interest in censoring our discussion of anything they are involved in apart from discussions of the negative rumours regarding the Oxygen Festival.
Unfortunately, as the administrators of boards.ie, we cannot guarantee that discussions involving MCD in any way will not prompt a user to post something regarding the negative rumours. As our moderators are not full-time, paid staff members, we cannot guarantee that we can catch such references immediately to delete them.
Subsequently, we feel it is more sensible to veto all discussion of MCD and related bands, events, venues, dates, festivals, concert dates, ticket sales, competitions and promotions, lest MCD be defamed during these discussions.
As a result, there can be no discussion of the following bands, events, venues, dates, festivals, concert dates, ticket sales, competitions and promotions, lest the discussion of same lead to a comment which MCD and Arthur Cox solicitors may deem to be defamatory to MCD. Any reference to any of the following will be immediately deleted and the poster will receive a one-week-ban.
Hehehehe. Nicely said chaps.
More:
Irish Independent article (free registration required)
Sunday Mirror report
P45 discussion
Well done on highlighting this shameful cover up. This is exactly why I didn't go to Oxegen this year and do not intend to go in future but I am surprised at MCD's discreditable hush up (or failed attempt to do so).
Shame on you MCD.
They can and they do. They have the monopoly and they dont give a bollox. suck it up.
Have an opinion on Oxygen, Hi:Fi or other events then visit http://www.mcdwatch.org to share it!
Openly looking for volunteering ops, admins.. moderators etc.. get in touch forum@mcdwatch.org
Cheers!
mcdwatch.org
"Bring it mcd..!"
Now it's official. As of August 11, 2006 MCD has sued boards.ie. Wonder if they're suing every other discussion outlet and newspaper that mentioned Oxegen this year as well.
Disgraceful.
MCD are the enemy of free speech. Boycott MCD events.