Council says park gigs will not clash with exams

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has assured
locals that no music concerts will take place at one of its public parks during
the course of State exams this summer.

Speaking at the most recent meeting of the Dundrum
Area Committee, Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) outlined his opposition to concerts
being held at Marlay Park when exams get underway in June.

The Leaving and Junior Cert exams are generally held
over a two-week period beginning around June 6 each year.

Last year, thousands of people attended a number of
acts including Roger Daltry and 2 Many Djs, who played at Marlay Park at the
end of June and July.

Cllr Richmond said there was still considerable local
support among residents for concerts in Marlay Park, both as a fundraising
exercise for the council and as popular cultural events.

A spokesman at Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
confirmed that music promoters MCD recently advertised their intention to lodge
an events licence application for a series of concerts to be held between June
25 and August 31.

Cllr Richmond insisted that it was of paramount
importance that the council’s long-standing policy of not holding concerts
while State examinations are ongoing is upheld.

He noted that secondary schools in the vicinity of
Marlay Park such as Ballinteer Community School, St Columba’s College and
Wesley College would be hosting exams in June.

He pointed out that thousands of local children would
be attempting to study during this period.

? he said.

? he added.

In addition, Cllr Richmond said that the

?¬100,000
raised from last year’s concerts would be ring-fenced for use by the Community
Department.

A spokesperson for MCD said:

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A spokesperson for the council said:

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