DUBLIN CITY Council is withholding cash deposits totalling €90,000 from concert promoters MCD and Aitken Promotions for exceeding acceptable noise levels at concerts held in the RDS earlier this year.
The council is refusing to return a bond of €50,000 to Aitken Promotions after a series of Bruce Springsteen concerts it held in the RDS broke noise limits on three dates last May.
The council is also retaining a bond of €40,000 paid by MCD to stage a Boyzone concert in the Ballsbridge venue after the band also broke the noise levels allowed by the concert licence.
A third act that appeared outdoors at the RDS during the summer, US heavy metal group Linkin Park, were found not to have breached any noise levels.
Bruce Springsteen, who played in the RDS on May 22nd, 23rd and 25th, was found to be the noisiest artist, exceeding the acceptable level of 75 decibels on all three dates, with the first of his concerts reaching more than 87 decibels.
Boyzone stayed within 80 decibels during their concert on June 29th last, the loudest recorded exceedance of the noise level being 78.9 decibels at the end of their concert. However, this was considered an unacceptable breach by the council.
Aitken Promotions is in talks with the council for a licence to stage a Rod Stewart concert in the RDS next year. A concert by that artist, also organised by Aitken, in the RDS in July 2007 broke the noise limits.
Labour councillor Kevin Humphreys said the council should seriously consider whether it continues to give licences to promoters who have a history of breaking noise regulations.
“The bonds paid don’t appear to be enough, so for those who continuously breach, it should have an effect on their future licences.”
Concert noise from the RDS travelled over a wide area and caused considerable discomfort and annoyance to local residents, Mr Humphreys said.
“The noise limit is one of the most important conditions attached to a licence.”
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