A huge security operation will swing into action in Slane this weekend with 60,000 people expected to descend on the Co Meath village for the open-air rock concert headlined by Bryan Adams.
Preparations continued at the venue in the grounds of Slane Castle yesterday while its owner, Lord Mount Charles, asked those attending to treat the village with respect. "This event could not happen without the support of the people of Slane," he said.
Other acts will include Moby, Macy Gray, Melanie C, Eagle Eye Cherry, Muse and Screaming Orphans. Lord Mount Charles said his son had returned to Ireland from Australia especially to see Moby perform. Over 400 gardai, including undercover officers and members of the air, dog, water and mounted special units will be involved in the operation. The concert promoter, MCD, has employed 600 security staff and stewards.
Chief Supt Michael Finnegan said those attending last year's concert at Slane were "excellent, a credit to themselves" and gardai were confident this weekend's crowd would be similar.
He said the Garda operation aimed to enable people to attend the concert in safety and also to ensure the event caused as little disruption as possible for residents of the village.
Slane will be sealed off from 10 p.m. this Friday until 2 a.m. on Sunday with all traffic (except residents, ticket-holders and emergencies) diverted away from the area. Gardai have warned that alcohol, umbrellas, flag-poles and any other items deemed dangerous will be confiscated.
Supt Eamonn Courtney also stressed that no bathing should be attempted in the Boyne river as it was especially treacherous at this time of year. A jet-ski patrol and 30 Garda divers will monitor the water.
He also asked concert-goers to be patient in traffic as they came and went to the venue. "There comes a time when you simply have to sit in your car and wait," he said. Traffic is expected to be particularly heavy between 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Supt Courtney added that a "very stringent policy" would be enacted against ticket touts, and a special court would be sitting to deal with any charges brought by the Gardai.
Mr Eamonn McCann of MCD said the venue would have five first-aid points, and a mobile field hospital staffed by six doctors, five nurses and first-aid staff. CCTV cameras would cover all entrances, exits and the main stage which would be monitored in the Garda control room. Full disability access was available from the Navan entrance, he added.
Two bars, each 120 feet long, will open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the grounds with pints costing £3. 70 water taps will be available, along with an array of mobile fast-food units.
Patrons are encouraged to use official car-parks, not to bring recording equipment into the grounds and not to "crowd-surf or mosh" or they are in danger of being ejected from the venue without a refund.