LOCAL residents are calling on Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Brian Hayes, to use his position to refuse permission for up to three proposed outdoor concerts in the Phoenix Park this summer.
Up to 40,000 fans are expected to attend each of the gigs for The Killers, Mumford & Sons and possibly another unconfirmed act in mid-July.
Despite reassurances from officials and event organisers, many residents who live around the park fear a repeat of the violence and anti-social behaviour that blighted their communities following concerts in the park last year.
Castleknock councillor Eithne Loftus (FG) was attacked in her car by a group of young thugs following one of those gigs and said she wasn’t convinced there wouldn’t be trouble this year.
Cllr Loftus attended a recent information meeting about the gigs at Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre where up to 100 locals voiced their concerns to event organisers and officials.
She said some residents in Castleknock were angry that they hadn’t been invited to the meeting, given that they lived next door to the park.
Cllr Loftus told Northside People that she personally suffered a terrifying ordeal last year after being caught up in concert crowds as she was driving home alone after dropping off friends following a night out at the theatre.
“My car was surrounded by four or five young fellas and they were banging on the car,
? she said.
“I was terrified. Lucky enough other more civilised people were around and they came to my rescue.
“There’s just too many people attracted to these events. Many turn up without tickets and they won’t be let into the park with drink. Last year those who couldn’t get into the park ended up in local housing estates and there were gangs of them. People shouldn’t have to put up with that.
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A spokesperson for the OPW admitted that not all Castleknock residents’ groÂups were invited to the meeting as they had only asked those listed with Dublin City Council.
“Since this meeting National Historic Properties have endeavoured to compile a considerable number of email addresses should the need arise again,
? the spokesperson said.
“They would be more than happy to accept listings to ensure no group is omitted in the future.
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Pat Allison from Navan Road Community Council said the national park should not be used for expensive private functions such as concerts that have the potential to cause lasting damage. She called on Minister Brian Hayes to intervene to ensure that licences are not granted for the events.
“The park was left in an awful state last year,
? she added.
Residents also fear that the number of concerts could be increased and that eventually the park could host a weekend long festival.
“There are concerns about that,
? continued Ms Allison.
“This is a public park and it should be preserved and protected for everybody.
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The OPW told Northside People that there would be no weekend festivals in the park.
Local councillor Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), who is chair of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee, also attended the meeting and said there was a lot of anger from locals who had
“genuine concerns
?.
“The events following the Swedish House Mafia concert last year were unacceptable and local residents should never have to endure anti-social behaviour as a result of events in the park,
? she added.
“Improved protocols and procedures have now been agreed and hopefully these will ensure there will be no repeat.
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The OPW said new measures will be put in place for this year’s concerts, should the licence application be successful.
“In light of the serious outcomes from the 2012 series of concerts in the Phoenix Park, OPW entered into detailed discussions with Dublin City Council and the Garda SÃochána regarding the application for concerts for the Phoenix Park in 2013,
? a spokesperson told Northside People.
“Despite the very unsatisfactory outcomes [of last year’s events], there is broad agreement that outdoor concerts per se in Dublin in the summer months do have benefits for the city’s economy.
“The shared view of DCC, gardai, the OPW and MCD is that stringent measures need to be put in place to avoid the serious problems from last year’s concerts.
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The OPW said studies on site suitability, risk assessment, anti-social behaviour and site protection had been carried out and measures based on the findings will be in place for any further concerts.