Policing committee meets to discuss Phoenix Park gigs

THERE was a packed house at this month’s meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee where controversial summer gigs in the Phoenix Park were the main order of the business.

Representatives from MCD concert promoters, the OPW (Office of Public Works), the gardai and Dublin City Council, along with local TDs, councillors and some concerned members of the public, attended the meeting.

According to local councillor Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), who chaired the meeting,

“no one played the blame game

? in relation to the shocking anti-social behaviour that occurred at one of the gigs.

“Human life was endangered and the recreational amenity of the Phoenix Park was greatly undermined along with the residential amenity of the local community,

? she said.

“Incidents of this nature can never be allowed to happen again in the Phoenix Park and I am happy to work with all parties – MCD, the gardai, the OPW and Dublin City Council – to ensure that they are not repeated.

“There was no one reason for what happened that night. It’s quite clear that there were multiple reasons, from how and when the licence for the event was issued to the type of music and venue in question.

?

Cllr Fitzpatrick made a number of recommendations to the council including that there be broader advertising and a longer processing time of applications for special event licences and that they are only issued after a detailed risk assessment and security plan is agreed by the promoter, the gardai and the council.

In summarising the issues raised during the meeting, Cllr Fitzpatrick also called for the gardai to deploy horse mounted, mountain bike, drug, traffic, public order and undercover units at future events.

It was also suggested that the e2,500 fee for special event licences be reviewed and increased.

The recommendations are currently being considered and all agencies are due to report back at the next meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee.

Speaking after the meeting, local TD Joe Costello (Lab) said there were many more measures that needed to be taken to protect concert goers.

“While the existing protocols sounded fine in theory, nevertheless it was incontestable that there had been rampant drug and alcohol abuse, culminating in violence inside the Phoenix Park, and little or no security for the thousands of residents in the streets surrounding the park who were subjected to a range of anti-social behaviour as the concert goers entered and left the park,

? he stated.

Deputy Costello called for a review to be taken in relation to the sale of alcohol to youths and the undesirability of holding three concerts in one weekend at a single location.

He also called for better security of residential areas to protect against intoxicated fans, littering and anti-social behaviour.