A garda prevents directs traffic away from the aborted Project X Party in Lavey.

Seamus Enright

Cavan Gardai are on high alert amid growing rumours there are attempts to stage a repeat of last Friday's aborted Project X party in Lavey.

Up to 700 revellers from across the region descended on the Cavan townland on Friday for a so-called Project X house party and resulted in some ugly confrontations with gardai.

Now Gardai are aware of attempts to set up a similar gathering in the east of the county, near Bailieborough this coming weekend.

"We very strongly condemn and discourage the organising of these uncontrolled events which have the potential of putting people's well-being, livelihoods and the safety of property at serious risk," Sergeant Kevin Gavigan told The Anglo-Celt.

Sgt Gavigan suggested that criminal proceedings may follow any future attempts to stage Project X parties.

"The ability for these websites to draw such large crowds is of massive concern to us. Such activities are a huge drain on our resources, obviously if people want to organise parties there are ways and means to a lesser degree than what occurred.

"But if the people responsible for inspiring such mayhem can be identified, and the message is that there is a possibility of criminal action being taken, then maybe they wouldn't be so eager to do it."

Friday's events unfolded after an initial private message belonging to a Lavey teenager, of a "few cans with friends" was hijacked and saw it listed as 'Project X Cavan' on facebook on Thursday evening.

The name 'Project X' refers to a recent film, in which a party degenerates into anarchy. That false web invitation was removed, but later re-listed as 'Project X Cavan Reborn' and gave precise directions to the 'party', adding menacingly, "cowards deleted the last page! Once ya start a Project X ders no stoppin it".

Over 700 revellers descended upon Lavey in cars, taxis, and even buses from across the county, and from as far as Navan and Mullingar. Gardai erecting road blocks and turned away as many people as possible from 8pm on.