There are very serious issues to be addressed following the events at the concerts in the Phoenix Park last weekend. Considering three young men lost their lives, seven people were assaulted and hospitalised, thirty people arrested, forty five call-outs by the fire service, numerous weapons and other items ceased by the Gardai and significant littering, vandalism and generally anti-social behaviour in the general area I do not accept the statements made by the event organisers that there was sufficient security and the Phoenix Park is an ideal venue. I believe that Dublin City cannot afford to ever have a repeat of such events.
I was in contact with the Gardai at the weekend and as Chair of the Joint Policing Committee I met today with the Gardai and Dublin City Council. We discussed the many serious issues surrounding the concerts. The JPC has asked the OPW who are responsible for the Phoenix Park and MCD the event promoters to attend the next JPC. The intention is to have a detailed review of all aspects of the concerts with a view to identifying what went wrong and what actions can be taken to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the unacceptable scenes witnessed last weekend.
In the meantime I have asked the City Manager not to issue any further Special Event Licences until such time as the full review has been completed and whatever recommendations are agreed and implemented by the relevant organisations.
I want to thank everybody who has been in contact with me information about what went on, please feel free to email me any additional details and I will address them with the relevant organisation. I have also asked DCC to arrange a proper clean-up of the surrounding area from Ashtown to the quays. Mary
