Over 80,000 Chili addicts to converge on Slane

Over 80,000 fans are set to converge on Slane for this weekend's concert featuring platinum-selling funk-punkers the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the torchbearers of the new breed of heavy metal, Foo Fighters.

The gardaí today announced details of their security cordon around the Co Meath village and the traffic operation that they are mounting ahead of Saturday's gig, which will also feature Queens of the Stone Age and PJ Harvey.

There is some consolation, scant though it may be, for those fans unable to secure tickets - which sold out in around two hours - as the Chilis are planning to record their performance for release on DVD.

Promoters MCD will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the fiasco surrounding the recent Eminem concerts at Punchestown Racecourse, which saw some fans stuck in traffic for up to five hours.

The Garda presence in and around Slane Castle will include the mounted, dog, drugs, public order and water units. There will around 800 gardai and 800 MCD security staff on duty on the day.

A special court will also be sitting all day in Slane.

The gates for the concert open at 12.00 a.m. and there will be no through traffic in the village. Part of the N2 will be closed from the night before the concert, with diversions in place from Kilmoon Cross. There will also be restrictions on access from the M1 motorway.

Gardaí are advising motorists there will be ample parking in fields along approach routes. Bus companies are being warned, however, that parking will not be permitted on the Drogheda Road, but buses can park on the Navan Road and the Derry Road (N2).

For those without access to cars, Bus Éireann is running a special coach service from Dublin to Slane. Leaving from Mountjoy Square at regular intervals between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., they will return after the gig.

Return tickets, which cost €17, must be bought in advance from Busaras, Bus Éireann ticket desks at the Dublin Tourism Centre on Suffolk Street or from the Dublin Bus Office on O'Connell Street.