DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has given the official go-ahead for this summer’s series of Phoenix Park concerts – the first of which is due to be held tomorrow week.

Locals had raised concerns about the gigs taking place in the wake of violence last year at the Swedish House Mafia-headlined show. Nine people were stabbed at the now-infamous concert, and three people died of overdoses.

Licences for the three concerts have been granted to MCD, subject to 14 conditions – following a consultation process between locals and other stakeholders.

The conditions include robust security and Garda operations plans and an integrated waste/litter management plan for the concert site. A resident hotline will also be provided from 9am until midnight on the day of each gig.

Chair of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Board, Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has welcomed the improved arrangements, though she says it’s “imperative that the event organisers, the Gardaí and the OPW get it right this time”. She adds:

Dublin City Council must ensure that the commitments given by the event organisers, Gardai and the OPW are actually delivered and there is no repeat of the horrible scenes from last year’s concerts.

A report from the Garda Commissioner released in the wake of last year’s Swedish House Mafia gig found that MCD’s control centre at the park was not fit for purpose, and stated that the venue was not suitable for use for large scale dance music concerts.

It’s expected this year’s headliners – Justin Timberlake, The Killers and Mumford & Sons – will attract a slightly older crowd.

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