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Garth Brooks: All five Croke Park concerts or none at all Garth Brooks: All five Croke Park concerts or none at all
(about 4 hours later)
Garth Brooks has said he wants to put on all five concerts in Dublin or none at all after the city's council refused licenses for two of them.Garth Brooks has said he wants to put on all five concerts in Dublin or none at all after the city's council refused licenses for two of them.
Dublin City Council granted permission for only three out of five Brooks concerts at Croke Park this month. Dublin City Council granted permission for only three out of five Brooks concerts - on 25, 26 and 27 July - at Croke Park this month.
Concerts on 25, 26 and 27 July have the go-ahead, but those scheduled for 28 and 29 July have not. About 400,000 fans have booked tickets. About 400,000 fans have booked tickets.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny said he hoped a solution could be found. But, some residents near Croke Park have now started a petition to allow the concerts to go ahead.
Reports that promoters were seeking an alternative venue such as the Aviva Stadium have been dismissed as there is not enough time for a licence application. Dublin City councillor Gary Gannon, who is from the Croke Park area, said that there was a "silent majority" of residents who are not against the Garth Brooks concerts.
It is not yet known what will happen to the remaining two concerts on 28 and 29 July.
On Thursday evening, the Press Association reported Brooks as saying: "I can't thank the people of Ireland enough for how welcome they have made me feel.On Thursday evening, the Press Association reported Brooks as saying: "I can't thank the people of Ireland enough for how welcome they have made me feel.
"I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland."I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland.
"For us, it is five shows or none at all. To choose which shows to do and which shows not to do, would be like asking to choose one child over another.""For us, it is five shows or none at all. To choose which shows to do and which shows not to do, would be like asking to choose one child over another."
Speaking from Berlin, Mr Kenny said: "I understand it is to do with a planning issue and the council made its decision. I hope everyone can work out a consequence to that." 'Silent majority'
The Taoiseach added: "Obviously if I understand it, three concerts have been approved and they are to go ahead. It is a planning decision for Dublin City Council. Residents living near the GAA stadium had threatened legal action after the initial two concerts were increased to five.
"They may be able to work out some consequence to allow the remaining concerts to go ahead but it is not for me to interfere in any way." The council said 373 submissions had been received from residents, residents' groups and local businesses.
In a statement, Dublin City Council said: "It would not be appropriate to grant five consecutive nights of concerts." However, a petition has been started by some Croke Park area residents to say they are happy for the concerts to go ahead.
Cllr Gannon said: "Some of those most vocally against these concerts don't live in the area.
"There is no single voice or group who speaks for the area's residents.
"There is a silent majority. Some are indifferent to the concerts, but there are also many who feel disrespected by the GAA.
"They have no sympathy with Croke Park, but they do have sympathy with the thousands of fans who have tickets for these concerts."
Cllr Gannon said that residents would let the concerts go ahead if it was followed by the full implementation of the recommendation of mediator Kieran Mulvey.
Last month, Mr Mulvey, from the Labour Relations Commission, produced a report aiming to strike an agreement between the GAA and Croke Park area residents.
He said that in "no circumstances" should four or five consecutive concerts be organised for the venue in future and recommended a 500,000 euro (£396,000) "legacy fund" for the area.
'Not appropriate'
The only way to appeal the Dublin City Council's decision is by going to the courts.
However, Cllr Gannon said that "common sense" should allow the concerts to go ahead if the petition is successful.
"These concerts are important for the local and national economy. We're asking for some level of leadership and that people don't make excuses behind legislation."
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny said he hoped a solution would be found but said he would not "interfere in any way".
In a statement on Thursday, Dublin City Council said: "It would not be appropriate to grant five consecutive nights of concerts."
They said the scale of the concerts was "unprecedented" and would lead to "an unacceptable level of disruption" for residents and businesses near Croke Park.They said the scale of the concerts was "unprecedented" and would lead to "an unacceptable level of disruption" for residents and businesses near Croke Park.
Legal action
The council also said that granting all five concerts, following on from three by One Direction in May, would have doubled the previous maximum number of concerts held at Croke Park per year.The council also said that granting all five concerts, following on from three by One Direction in May, would have doubled the previous maximum number of concerts held at Croke Park per year.
Residents living near the GAA stadium threatened legal action after the initial two concerts were increased to five.
The council said 373 submissions had been received from residents, residents' groups and local businesses.
The only way to appeal the council's decision is by going to the courts.
It is understood to be unlikely that promoters will be able to use an alternative venue, such as the Aviva Stadium, as there is not enough time for a licence application.It is understood to be unlikely that promoters will be able to use an alternative venue, such as the Aviva Stadium, as there is not enough time for a licence application.
'Unbelievable''Unbelievable'
Aiken Promotions, the firm which is organising the concerts, said it was "very disappointed" that the council refused permission for two of the five dates.Aiken Promotions, the firm which is organising the concerts, said it was "very disappointed" that the council refused permission for two of the five dates.
Peter Aiken from the promotions firm told the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ that he "never expected" licences to be rejected and described the situation as "unbelievable".Peter Aiken from the promotions firm told the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ that he "never expected" licences to be rejected and described the situation as "unbelievable".
He said he was still in constant discussions with the singer's management and was "trying to come up with answers" for those who had bought tickets for the rejected shows.He said he was still in constant discussions with the singer's management and was "trying to come up with answers" for those who had bought tickets for the rejected shows.
Mr Aiken told RTÉ that the "two shows are cancelled" and added that the council's decision had left Garth Brooks in "an awful position".Mr Aiken told RTÉ that the "two shows are cancelled" and added that the council's decision had left Garth Brooks in "an awful position".
"This is a one-off show, it's not going to happen anywhere else in the world."This is a one-off show, it's not going to happen anywhere else in the world.
"All the customised pieces of video equipment that he's bringing in - we can't strip that down and move to another venue - that's just rumour that we're going to do somewhere else," Mr Aiken said."All the customised pieces of video equipment that he's bringing in - we can't strip that down and move to another venue - that's just rumour that we're going to do somewhere else," Mr Aiken said.
He said Brooks had asked him to come up with a "solution" for the 160,000 fans who have bought tickets for the two rejected concerts.He said Brooks had asked him to come up with a "solution" for the 160,000 fans who have bought tickets for the two rejected concerts.
"He doesn't want to leave 160,000 people, it's not fair that 160,000 people don't see the show," Mr Aiken added."He doesn't want to leave 160,000 people, it's not fair that 160,000 people don't see the show," Mr Aiken added.
The GAA said they "will fully assess the implication" of the announcement and make no further comment before Monday, 7 July.The GAA said they "will fully assess the implication" of the announcement and make no further comment before Monday, 7 July.