Garth Brooks concerts may face injunction

Garth Brooks’s five-night stand at Croke Park could be brought to a halt by a High Court injunction within the next 48 hours.

The Croke Park Streets Committees Association made the claim yesterday during a press conference at Buswells Hotel in Dublin.

Officials for the group said they will take the matter to the High Court if necessary.

And explaining why they are rejecting the plan for the GAA to compensate residents for difficulties related to the gigs with a €500,000 windfall, the group said in reality this amounts to just €18 per household.

Group solicitor Anthony Fay said that, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, any plans to hold a concert must not be advertised before a licence is sought.

In the case of the Brooks’ events, to be held from July 25 to 29, the GAA advertised the gigs in February but only sought a licence in April.

Dublin City Council, which has the final say, is due to make a decision on whether to grant a licence by the end of the week.

However, Mr Fay said if the decision is delayed or falls in favour of the GAA, residents will seek a High Court injunction, with other options including a judicial review or a private prosecution against the concert organisers.

This is because they have not been given a public opportunity to contest the licence; claims its provision is in breach of the law; and that allowing the GAA to hold eight concerts a year — after three concerts by One Direction in May — breaches a previous deal.

Eamon O’Brien, group chair, said if the injunction fails, residents will protest the gigs, insisting the GAA must sign-up to a legally- binding deal preventing them from holding more than three concerts at the iconic arena per year.

Grassroots ‘will not benefit’

The wider GAA “will not benefit” from the small fortune set to be made from the Garth Brooks concerts.

The Croke Park Streets Committees Association made the claim after revealing Companies Registration Office files which show the GAA pay rent to a technically separate company for any event staged at the iconic Croke Park stadium.

In 2012 and 2013, the GAA paid Páirc an Chrócaigh Teoranta €7.8m and €8.7m to host games, events and concerts at the central Dublin arena. However, in both years the wider GAA received just a €4m return on the sums.

While Croke Park has declined to comment on the concert saga until a licensing decision is made, it is understood the reason for the PACT company is to protect the wider GAA from event problems.