Aviva bosses to address issues over exit strategy

AVIVA STADIUM management say they will improve signage and the public address system following complaints from fans who were stuck in an underpass on Saturday night.

Stadium director Martin Murphy said congestion after the Leinster and Munster match was as a result of more people using the Dart than had been anticipated.

Munster fan Ronan McKiernan said he and his wife spent 40 minutes in the underpass which exits the West Stand.

Mr McKiernan told RTÉ’s Liveline that children were crying and elderly people distressed at being stuck in the tunnel.

Graham Harris described the exit strategy as “ridiculous”.

Mr Harris, a Leinster fan, said congestion had been relieved in the past when the level-crossing gates were opened for half an hour after games at the old Lansdowne Road. “There was never any problem like this before. Was there any joined-up thinking in it? There was no exit strategy other than this tunnel and you have 20,000 to 30,000 people behind you,” he said.

Peter O’Connor said the East Stand was left in semi-darkness at the end of the match for a light display and it was dangerous.

He said fans had to negotiate a narrow stairways out of the back of the stand and a narrow walkway between the old pitch and the back of the stand.

“We were in semi-darkness trying to climb up very narrow passageways. It was really dangerous. People need to get a grip or there will be a major catastrophe there.”

Mr Murphy said a new plan will be in place for the next match on Friday when Ireland play Russia in a European Championship qualifier.

He added that the absence of a public address system in the underpass and the need for more signage will be addressed.

He also said that the fireworks at the start of the match which obscured the view for some fans and the dimming of the lights at the end for a lighting display were at the request of Leinster.

He also said the issue of disgruntled fans who complained about the sound at the recent Michael Bublé concert was a matter for promoter MCD.