Brooks licence refusal leaves Dublin events in the balance

The decision by Dublin City Council to grant a licence for only three of the five sold-out Garth Brooks’ shows at Croke Park has prompted a flurry of comments in Ireland. Promoter's Aiken Promotions announced the shows in February after lengthy negotiations - they would have been the only shows Brooks is playing worldwide this summer.

As of today (8th July) legal proceedings over  concerts in Croke Park were formally lodged in the High Court by a local resident Brian Duff, whose solicitor is named as Anthony Fay, the solicitor acting for some residents of Croke Park. The case is against Aiken Promotions (Ireland) Ltd and Páirc an Chrócaigh Teoranta (Croke Park Ltd) and seeks injunctive relief preventing the holding of the three shows which had secured approval from Dublin City Council.

The singer said last week he would perform the five concerts, for which 400,000 tickets have been sold, or none at all. Dublin's Lord Mayor, Christy Burke, said he had made last ditch attempts over the weekend to have the shows put on at the Aviva Stadium on the capital's southside instead. But he was told by promoters Aiken Promotions and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), which runs Croke Park, that it was logistically impossible. Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny said 'I hope the two axed Garth Brooks Croke Park concerts can be saved' but said that he could not intervene in the decision by the City Council which approved concerts on the 25th, 26th and 27th July, but not the Monday 28th July and Tuesday 29th

UPDATE

In a statement this morning (15.07.2014) Aiken Promotions said: "Aiken Promotions regret to announce that despite pursuing all possible solutions, the five concert Garth Brooks Comeback Special Event at Croke Park is cancelled. No concerts will take place


http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2014/07/04/garth-brooks-the-inevitable-live-music-mess-of-the-year/?fb_action_ids=655666217850200&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=.U7r9Qy8i7Ak.like

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/lord-mayor-seeking-brooks-solution-30412652.html