We feel like prisoners in our own homes during Marlay Park gigs, say residents

By Paul Healy

SOUTH Dublin residents have complained that they feel like "prisoners" in their homes during concerts at Marlay Park.

Their remarks come after the announcement that the Longitude Festival will return to the venue in July headlined by Hozier and the Chemical Brothers.

Traffic

Rathfarnham resident Fiona Murdock said that traffic disruption during concerts is "horrendous".

"Some of the roads ended up like a massive car park. We had to be back in our homes by 10pm every night. It was like we were prisoners in our own home," She said.

"Last year it just went on for months. I live in Rathfarnham and you can feel the vibrating from there.

"It's really galling to see this years gigs being announced. One standalone concert has already been announced plus the three day Longitude festival. It feels like we haven't been listened to," Ms Murdock told the Herald.

Broadford resident Mary O'Reilly said that the concert last year caused her 18 year old autistic son to get lost in the park.

"During the concerts if you went down the laneways you would find blockages and that caused my autistic son to get lost. He got totally confused by it all.

Stressful

"I found it extremely stressful walking in the park... Last year in particular was nosier than previous years."

Concert promoters MCD stressed that it always engages with the local community ahead of gigs in Marlay Park.

"Public consultation has always been a major factor in the planning process and as promoters in association with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council," a spokesman said.

He added that MCD have been staging gigs in the park for 14 years "in full compliance with statutory requirements".

Other residents are happy with how the concerts are run.

"Overall it is well policed and any issues that we had were addressed," Marlay Grange Residents Association chairman Tom Ryan said.

hnews@herald.ie