THE OWNERS of the €80 million New 02 arena - the old Point Depot - have given major undertaking to gardaí on the prevention of underage drinking at concerts.
General manager Cormac Rennick told barrister Dorothy Collins in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that all "alcohol dispensaries" would be disabled during concerts attracting mainly teenagers and young adults. He said mainly-teenage attractions had been identified as the main high-risk category for potential underage drinking and on such occasions drink would be served only in a high-security watch area.
Ms Kerry Jane Morgan, counsel for the State, told Judge Joseph Mathews that underage drinking was one of the most serious concerns which gardaí had regarding the new venue.
Ms Morgan said the management had undertaken to close all ground floor concourse bars at mainly-teenage all-standing concerts.
Last week she had insisted on the adjournment of an application for a drinks license until management undertakings were forthcoming.
Mr Rennick said mainly-adult attractions such as Tina Turner concerts, or parent-accompanied shows for younger children, would not cause an underage drink problem for management.
He said The 02 amphitheatre management planned on employing one security person for every 100 patrons attending mainly-standing concerts and one for every 200 patrons for seated events.
The judge granted a seven day publican's license to the O2, which opens its doors for the first time for the sell-out annual Childline concert on December 16.
Mr Rennick said the amphitheatre could seat 9,300 concert fans and had room for 14,000 during standing-room events. The judge said the complex would add life and lustre to the capital city.