Dublin’s Lord Mayor: ‘It’s all down to Garth now’

The head of Aiken Promotions, Peter Aiken, flew to the US today in a last ditch effort to convince to Garth Brooks to play three concerts in Dublin, Dublin's Lord Mayor said today.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke said an Aiken representative were trying to persuade Garth Brooks to do the three gigs today. “The ball is now in Mr Brooks court to take up the offer the three gigs,” he said. “It’s all down to Garth.”

“I hope he wouldn’t leave 220,000 fans disappointed that have have already made a purchase.”

Mediator Kieran Mulvey said he understood Mr Aiken would travel to the US today.

Cllr Burke said his office had been working hard to secure an alternative venue for the extra two concerts.

“But there are a lot of logistical and technical issues that are potential road blocks. The 10-week licence application wait doesn’t apply to Aviva as they already have permission for three gigs but it’s too small.”

Cllr Burke said the planning restrictions would need to be changed in the future and no promoter should be able to sell tickets before permission has been granted.

Dublin City Council last week refused licences for two of the gigs planned for the stadium. Brooks has said he would perform all five nights in Croke Park or none at all. More than 400,000 tickets have been sold.

Concert promoter Peter Aiken said a decision on whether any concerts would go ahead will be made today.

Aiken promotions has hit out at “the complete misrepresentation of Garth Brooks as a person and as an artist is ill-informed and is scandalous” following the singer’s statement he would playing five concerts or none at all.

In a statement from the promoter last night, following the Dublin City Council meeting the promoter said while it welcomed the decision to support to motion to ask the city manager to reconsider, the decision now to allow the five concerts was incorrect.

“ If Aiken Promotions have been ‘reckless’, then the process itself is ‘reckless’ and any perceived ‘recklessness’ by Aiken Promotions must equally apply to a Council that did not advise Aiken Promotions not to proceed with the five concerts when they were informed.

Comments such as 'reckless behaviour' besmirch the reputation of a company that for 53 years have made a significant contribution to the culture and economy of Ireland. "

The company said they followed the process laid down under the event licensing procedure.

“ All of the discussions with council officials in relation to the five concerts was about how the impact of the five concerts might be mitigated. Therefore the decision was a complete shock.”

The statement said they had tried alternative venues but the show was specifically designed for Croke Park.

“ Garth Brooks response to the licence for the three rather than the five concerts was not an ultimatum, it was simply an expression of genuine concern for his fans.”

Brooks has announced he will give a press conference on Thursday at 5pm.

It is understood Brook’s vessel with his equipment for five nights was due to leave port for Ireland yesterday.The head of Aiken Promotions, Peter Aiken, is expected to fly to the US today in a last ditch effort to convince to Garth Brooks to play three concerts in Dublin, Dublin’s Lord Mayor said today.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke said an Aiken representative was trying to persuade Garth Brooks to do the three gigs today.

“The ball is now in Mr Brooks court to take up the offer the three gigs,” he said. “It’s all down to Garth.”

“I hope he wouldn’t leave 220,000 fans disappointed that have already made a purchase.”

Mediator Kieran Mulvey said he understood Mr Aiken would travel to the US today.

Cllr Burke said his office had been working hard to secure an alternative venue for the extra two concerts.

“But there are a lot of logistical and technical issues that are potential road blocks. The 10-week licence application wait doesn’t apply to Aviva as they already have permission for three gigs but it’s too small.”

Cllr Burke said the planning restrictions would need to be changed in the future and no promoter should be able to sell tickets before permission has been granted.

Dublin City Council last week refused licences for two of the gigs planned for the stadium. Brooks has said he would perform all five nights in Croke Park or none at all. More than 400,000 tickets have been sold.

Concert promoter Peter Aiken said a decision on whether any concerts would go ahead will be made today.

Aiken promotions has hit out at “the complete misrepresentation of Garth Brooks as a person and as an artist is ill-informed and is scandalous” following the singer’s statement he would play five concerts or none at all.

In a statement from the promoter last night, following the Dublin City Council meeting the promoter said while it welcomed the decision to support to motion to ask the city manager to reconsider, the decision now to allow the five concerts was incorrect.

“If Aiken Promotions have been ‘reckless’, then the process itself is ‘reckless’ and any perceived ‘recklessness’ by Aiken Promotions must equally apply to a Council that did not advise Aiken Promotions not to proceed with the five concerts when they were informed.

Comments such as ‘reckless behaviour’ besmirch the reputation of a company that for 53 years have made a significant contribution to the culture and economy of Ireland. ”

The company said they followed the process laid down under the event licensing procedure.

“ All of the discussions with council officials in relation to the five concerts was about how the impact of the five concerts might be mitigated. Therefore the decision was a complete shock.”

The statement said they had tried alternative venues but the show was specifically designed for Croke Park.

“Garth Brooks response to the licence for the three rather than the five concerts was not an ultimatum, it was simply an expression of genuine concern for his fans.”

Brooks has announced he will give a press conference on Thursday at 5pm.

It is understood a ship with Brook’s stage equipment for the five nights was due to leave port for Ireland yesterday.