A ferry was forced to return to port after a huge brawl broke out on board.
The mass brawl broke out on Saturday (July 8) during a trip from Dublin to Holyhead, Wales. Footage shows four men attacking a man while another tries to separate the fighters on the Irish Ferries service.
Terrified family and friends can be heard screaming while other passengers remain in their seats and watch the chaos unfold. One man can be seen brandishing kitchen tongs as another runs up to him and assumes a boxing stance.
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What appears to be blood can be seen on the floor. Staff members, including a chef, position themselves in between the two sparring groups in order to break it up, while a child is seen wandering through the bedlam.
What sparked the fight is unknown, but it forced the ferry to turn back to Dublin just 20 minutes into its journey. Two men have since been charged after being detained at a Dublin Garda station.
An Irish Ferries spokesperson said: "Irish Ferries can confirm that there was a public order issue on board yesterday’s 13.50 Dublin Swift sailing from Dublin to Holyhead shortly after departure. Irish Ferries places the highest importance on safety and therefore decided to immediately return to Dublin port, where the Irish authorities dealt with the incident.
"The ship resumed sailing at 15.52. Irish Ferries apologises to passengers whose travel was disrupted by this issue and continues to assist the authorities who are investigating the incident."
A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí are investigating a public order incident that occurred on the afternoon of Saturday July 8, 2023 on a ferry near Dublin Port.
"As part of this investigation, two men (aged in their 30s and 40s) were arrested and detained at a Dublin Garda station.
"Both men have since been charged and were due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice Dublin, Court 1, at 10:30am on Monday July 10, 2023."
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