MATCH-GOERS will be banned from parking up to two kilometres (one-and-a-half miles) from Croke Park during major events such as All-Ireland games and soccer and rugby matches under new bylaws which will be put before city councillors today.
The parking ban will apply to all non-residents and will also be enforced during evening events such as concerts.
Those who flout the ban will risk clamping or the removal of their vehicles and will have to pay a fee for their release.
Those attending events will not be able to buy a permit, even if they have parked in a pay-and-display zone, and must find parking outside the restricted area.This area stretches from the suburb of Glasnevin to Talbot Street in the city centre.
The Croke Park parking bylaws are the first to be introduced under last year's amendment to the Road Traffic Acts which provides that an authority may "in respect of a specified event or events" introduce bylaws to prohibit or restrict parking "in the interests of safety of road users and preventing traffic congestion".
The ban is initially being introduced in the Croke Park area to prevent chaotic parking on match days, which had forced residents to park some di'stance from their own homes. However it is envisaged that the ban will be extended to other large venues, including the area around the redeveloped Lansdowne Road stadium, the RDS and eventually the Point.
Under the provisions of the bylaws, which will shortly be published in national newspapers, non-residents will be banned from parking in an area north of Croke Park bounded by Griffith Avenue; an area west, as far as St Mobhi Road, Botanic Road and the North Circular Road; an area east to the Malahide Road, Fairview, North Strand and Amiens Street; and south to Talbot Street, Gardiner Street and Parnell Square East.
The restricted area is far wider than the one kilometre originally suggested by the council's traffic department when the bylaws were proposed last September.
The traffic department has also reversed its proposal to charge residents an additional annual fee of €40 for parking outside their own houses during events. In areas where residents' parking permits already apply, it will be sufficient to display these permits.
On roads which are not yet subject to parking restrictions, such as pay and display, residents will be able to apply for a major event parking permit so that they can continue to park outside their houses free of charge in the restricted area.
The restrictions will apply to All-Ireland football and hurling finals, semi-finals and quarter-finals, international rugby and soccer matches and concerts granted a licence by the council.
