'Don't use local knowledge' - Gardaí issue advice to music fans going to Springsteen gig

An Garda Síochána is urging music fans attending Bruce Springsteen's Nowlan Park gig to avoid using local knowledge and keep mobile phones charged. 

Inspector Paul Donohoe of the Divisional Roads Policing Unit in the Kilkenny/Carlow/Waterford division posted a video online offering advice to concert-goers heading to Nowlan Park tonight (May 12). 

In the video - which was posted on May 10 - the inspector shared advice on parking, tickets, and respectful behaviour. 

He said, "I'm here in UPMC Nowlan Park, as you can see behind us [there's] a lot of work going on getting ready for Bruce Springsteen on Sunday. 

"So just for the listeners, just a few things I'd like to bring to your attention. First of all, we'd ask people to leave in plenty of time when you're travelling to UPMC Nowlan Park.

"The gates are opening at 5pm. The organizers are asking people to be there for 7 o'clock. Bruce is expected on stage at 7pm, so we'd ask people to try leave in plenty of time and be here." 

He continued: "Make sure your phone is charged because your ticket will be on your phone. It's an e-ticket, no copies or no screenshots will be allowed.

"So just make sure you have your phone fully charged when you arrive at the site. With regards to parking, no matter where you're coming from to Kilkenny on Sunday, we have adequate parking. We have signage all around as you come in to Kilkenny pn every entrance road. 

"So please use the signs provided telling you where the parking facilities are." 

He continued: "Don't use local knowledge, I would say, or where you'd usually park in Kilkenny because those positions mightn't be available to you. ut please just follow the signs that's given to us by Kilkenny County Council. 

"We have McDonough Junction behind us here, that car park is pre-booked. You can book it online with McDonough Shopping Centre and pre-book. 

"We have O'Loughlin's GAA Club, which is just around the corner as well, we have the Orchard Bar on Orchard Road, and Canice's on the Dublin road. So we've loads of parking." 

The inspector doesn't think there will be "any problem" with parking. 

He said, "Buses, anyone travelling on buses or any bus drivers listing, all buses will be parked in Hebron Industrial Estate. If you're coming off the M9 motorway, you'll drive straight through at McDonald's on Hebron Road and you'll be parked up by the Gardaí on Hebron Industrial Estate. 

"That parking is for buses and coaches only, so no cars are permitted in that area. We'd ask people then to follow the instruction of An Garda Síochána. 

"We have an extensive traffic plan in place, and after the concert please follow the signs and the direction of the Gardaí, and we'll get you out of the city as quickly as possible. 

"There will be certain diversions in place leaving the concert, and that is just to allow everyone to get a smooth exit out of Kilkenny City and back onto the M9 motorway if you're travelling to Dublin or up the North. 

"So please take the directions of An Garda Síochána and you'll get out of Kilkenny nice and swiftly and smoothly." 

He is also reminding people to be respectful to the residents in the surrounding area.

He said, "We'd ask everyone to respect our residents in the area. 

"It's a very residential area around UPMC Nowlan Park, so we'd ask people to please be conscious of the people living around and respect our property and respect our privacy as well when you're at the concert." 

He continued: "So it's going to be warm, the weather is going to be good and we'd hope that everyone would enjoy the day. 

"There will be some traffic road closures in place on Hebron Road and our O'Loughlin Road during the concert times, and there will be no access to those roads, only residents, and residents will have to show identification, whether it be a driving license to show what they reside in those areas.

"But other than that, we will have no vehicles in around UPMC Nolan Park. 

"That's all from An Garda Síochána. Our Facebook has all the information. Aiken Promotions have all the information on their website, and Kilkenny GAA have all theirs. 

"So if you have any other questions, you can revert to those. And I just hope everyone enjoys the concert and enjoys the day."