Fitzpatrick urges MCD to attend meeting on Phoenix Park violence

Fianna Fáil Dublin City Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has called on MCD to attend a meeting of the Dublin Joint Policing Committee to review the management of the Swedish House Mafia gig in the Phoenix Park.

Cllr Fitzpatrick, who is Chairperson of the Committee, says the concert promoter has a duty to respond thoroughly to criticisms contained in the garda review published yesterday.

“I have invited the gardaí, the OPW, MCD and Council officials to attend a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee to review the licensing, security and management of the Phoenix Park concerts last month.  It is absolutely crucial that we get to the bottom of what happened so that concert goers are never put at risk in this way again,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick.

“I am calling on the Minister with responsibility for the OPW Brian Hayes to ensure that MCD is not permitted to hold any similar events until they respond in detail to the points raised in this report.  MCD have been afforded an opportunity to address the outstanding issues at the policing committee but they have yet to confirm their attendance.  

"I would also like to know how much Minister Hayes' Department was paid for the use of the park, what was the true cost of the event including clean-up, and when will the ugly hoarding be removed and the park returned to the public.

“Each of the authorities involved in every stage of planning and managing this event has questions to answer.  Together, we need to come up with a plan to ensure that all similar events in the future are held in appropriate venues, with well managed security and proper integration between all those involved,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick.