GAA and residents clash over Garth Brooks concerts

Residents claim association reneged on deal over number of events at Croke Park



Relations between the GAA and residents near Croke Park have broken down over the staging of five Garth Brooks concerts in July.

A meeting organised to resolve issues between the parties ended in disarray on Wednesday, with some residents claiming the GAA had reneged on a deal over the number of events.

The GAA has planning permission for three “special events” a year at the stadium and is using it to hold three One Direction concerts.

Independent city councillor Nial Ring said: “There is a complete lack of trust in the GAA, and the lack of communication, consultation and respect has left the GAA in a position where the local residents will do all in their power to stop the concerts.”

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A GAA spokesman would only confirm the meeting took place. “We will be making no further comment to the media while we continue our consultative process.”

Dublin City Council said it had been informed by Croke Park management that it intended to use its special events permission for the One Direction concerts. It said the management could apply for a public event licence for the Garth Brooks concerts but no such applications had been made to date.

Olivia Kelly

Olivia Kelly

Olivia Kelly is Dublin Editor of The Irish Times