River Warning On Slane Gig
Madonna fans have been told to keep clear of the dangerous waters of the Boyne River by the owner of Slane Castle. The Irish coastguard unit Gardai will be patrolling the flooded waters to ensure there is no trouble as 80,000 fans gather for the queen of pop first ever concert. Lord Henry Mount Charles, the owner of the historic County Meath Castle said: “The Boyne is a hungry river, it is reputed to claim 12 lives a year, not I might add, on concert days.
“Though we have had some very unfortunate incidents. “People look at it and admire it, but don’t go near it. At some of the previous tragedies people have had tickets in their pockets and that is just crazy stuff.”
Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan, who is heading the security operation, said the river is flooded and even more dangerous than usual. A team of 120 Gardai including the drugs unit with dogs, the mounted unit, the Garda sub-aqua team and crowd control officers will be policing the village from Saturday onwards.
Superintendent Finnegan said: “The Garda operation has served us well in the last number of years with Robbie Williams and U2.”
He said there will be a strong Garda presence from Saturday afternoon to the early hours of Monday morning.
Organisers warned the gates would not open until 4pm and there is no official campsite. They appeal for people to use the coach service offered by Dublin bus and Bus Eireann.
Justin Green of promoters MCD says: “Ticket sales to date are going extremely well. Around 95% of them are now sold and we are on course for a sell out.”Source: u.tv / uk.news.yahoo.com