Opposition to Phoenix Park concert licence

Fears over conduct of revellers follows incidents at 2012 Swedish House Mafia concert

Six people were stabbed and 40 were treated in emergency departments. There were more than 30 arrests for knife attacks, public order offences, drug possession and drug dealing. Two men who attended the concert died afterwards from suspected overdoses. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Six people were stabbed and 40 were treated in emergency departments. There were more than 30 arrests for knife attacks, public order offences, drug possession and drug dealing. Two men who attended the concert died afterwards from suspected overdoses. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Approximately 100 residents living in the vicinity of the Phoenix Park attended a meeting to discuss a controversial concert due to take place this summer and will submit objections to its licensing application.

Fears over the potential conduct of revellers at this July's triple concert run comes following problems surrounding the Swedish House Mafia gig at the same venue last summer. Last night, residents from the Infirmary Road, the North Circular Road, Blackhorse Avenue, the Navan Road and Castleknock vented anger over the previous event and its physical effects on the park itself.

The meeting at the Ashtown Visitor Centre was attended by park superintendent Margaret Gormley as well as officials from Dublin City Council, the Office of Public Works and gardai.

“The OPW came in for a lot of criticism as custodians of the Phoenix Park for issuing an invitation to promoters to host concerts in the park,” said Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick.

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“A lot of people are very angry. As someone from the area and as chair of the joint policing committee I will be holding the city manager to account in terms of the policing, cleaning and traffic management.” The licence application for the three 40,000 capacity events has been filed by Festival Republic on behalf of MCD.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times