THE staging of concerts in Marlay Park is to be reviewed following a record number of complaints this summer.

The park, in Rathfarnham in Dublin, was the location for eight nights of gigs - including the Longitude Festival - over three weeks in June and July.

Fine Gael councillor Neale Richmond said he had never received as many complaints as he did last month.

"I genuinely have had an awful lot of complaints, up to 150," he told the Herald.

He said it was "the sheer volume of concerns at the fact that the concerts went on over such a long time" that prompted him to ask Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to review the situation.

He believes the "hullabaloo" over the Garth Brooks gigs at Croke Park meant people were acutely aware of the issues.

"I've been a stout defender and supporter of holding concerts in Marlay Park since long before I was elected to the county council," he said.

"The concerts bring great cultural and economic benefits to the area while showing off the brilliant facility.

"However, this year, for the first time, I received a considerable amount of complaints and correspondence from local residents unhappy with the effect that the concerts were having."

Chief among the concerns were noise levels, traffic congestion and some anti-social behaviour issues. Officials will meet councillors in the autumn to review the events.

The benefits will also be outlined, including the revenues generated. It is thought the council collected up to €600,000 from this summer's gigs.

"This money is 100pc ring-fenced for recreational purposes," Mr Richmond said. "It can only be used on parks, recreation, football pitches, not for writing down a debt."

comurphy@herald.ie

Online Editors