State Papers: Hospitalisation of fans at 1995 Boyzone gig spurred changes to concert laws

Files also reveal that the Boyzone concert was lucky to be allowed to go ahead, as gardaí had considered taking out an injunction against the concert organisers over their failure to apply for a temporary dance licence. File photo: Stefan Rousseau

A Boyzone concert in Tallaght 30 years ago, which resulted in the hospitalisation of 12 music fans, led to the attorney general warning the justice minister of the “urgent need” to amend legislation around the staging of concerts.

Confidential files released by the National Archives show a dozen concert goers were hospitalised from “heat and hysteria” at a performance by Boyzone at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on July 31, 1995.