Irish Court Rules u2 Concerts Illegal

Irish Court Rules u2 Concerts Illegal

July 30, 1997

THOUSANDS of anxious U2 fans were hoping today that an Irish court could give them what they're looking for - the go- ahead for the supergroup's Dublin concerts.

An appeal to stage the massive concerts is being made by the Irish Rugby Football Union in the Supreme Court.

More than 80,000 tickets worth Ir(GBP)2m have already been sold for the two concerts which had been scheduled to take place at Lansdowne Road on August 30 and 31.

But last Thursday the High Court in Dublin blocked the concerts after appeals by residents in the Lansdowne Road area.

Mr Justice Declan Costello ruled that the planned concerts were illegal under the planning laws. And he granted an order restraining the Irish Rugby Football Union, which owns Lansdowne Road, from allowing the concerts to go ahead.

However, the court granted a stay on the order until today to allow an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Tickets for the first concert sold out within 40 minutes of going on sale in Dublin.

Then U2 decided to have a second concert so Irish fans could see their Popmart show which has already toured the US.

Dublin city centre business chiefs have warned that failure to stage the concerts will seriously undermine the capital's reputation as a good venue for international events.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce said the concerts would bring IR(GBP)10m into the city, provide temporary employment for 800 people and put the spotlight on Dublin internationally.