Friday, July 4, 2014
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Brooks warns it’s ‘5 shows or none at all’ after council blocks 2 gigs
Garth Brooks last night warned by Orna Cunningham it was ‘five shows or none at all’ after Dublin City Council blocked two of a row at Croke Park, the country’s his Croke Park gigs later this month largest venue. over disruption to residents. Last night, offers were rolling in In a statement that holds the council from other venues to host the Monto ransom, the Us country star said: day and tuesday July 28 and 29 dates, ‘I have faith that Dublin City Council including from Punchestown racewill make the best decision for the course in kildare, which previously people of Ireland.’ hosted the oxegen festival, and Páirc he added: ‘to choose which shows Uí Chaoimh in Cork. to do and which shows not to do, the Croke Park residents’ solicitor would be like asking to choose one said they are reserving their position child over another. until a public meeting is held. ‘however this plays out, Ireland has ‘It was irresponsible of the promotmy heart and alers to sell tickets ways will.’ to the fans “subPromoter Peter ject to licence” aiken earlier exand expect to profplained production it from it,’ anthocosts had been ny Fay said. scaled to the unique But Mr aiken five-show run – said concerts are with 400,000 tickalways promoted ets sold in total – on the basis of the and it wasn’t events being subpossible to simply ject to licence. stop two of the Muppetry? Fans are furious Disappointed shows. fans took to social and the promoter added he had not media to air their grievances, and the expected the council’s decision, Irish hotels Federation (IhF) said the though he had anticipated there would decision would hurt Ireland’s image be a number of conditions attached to abroad. some 70,000 fans overseas permission for five shows. have bought tickets to the gigs startMaking its decision, Dublin City ing on July 25. Council said: ‘the cumulative effect the IhF’s stephen McNally said: on residents and on some businesses ‘this situation was avoidable and would lead to an unacceptable level will damage Ireland’s tourism brand of disruption to their lives and liveli- – something tourism businesses and hoods.’ bodies invest significant resources in No act has ever played five shows in to promote in overseas markets.’
Picture: BriAN MceVOY
Party off, garth
Reynor of terror Irish actor Jack Reynor signs an autograph for fan Sean Maher, from Swords, at the Irish premiere of his new film Transformers: Age Of Extinction at the Savoy cinema on O’Connell Street yesterday evening
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