Court Victory for the IRFU

THE IRISH Rugby Football Union have won their long-running battle to be allowed to use Lansdowne Road for concerts.

In what could prove to be a landmark decision, the High Court ruled that the staging of gigs at the stadium does not constitute a change of use and therefore planning permission is not required.

"We're delighted that, at last, common sense has prevailed," says IRFU spokesman John Redmond. "We're not going to start holding concerts every week but there will be what we'd call 'reasonable' use of Lansdowne Road for musical events. As for who'll be promoting, we've developed a very close relationship with Oliver Barry which will doubtlessly continue."

The problems that the IRFU have had with planning permission were highlighted last September when the Rolling Stones were forced to cancel the Dublin leg of their Bridges To Babylon tour.

"The year before that it was touch and go as to whether U2 would be able to play," Redmond acknowledges. "This is a very positive development."

The ruling is also good news for the FAI's proposed new stadium, The Arena, which will supplement its sporting income by staging a wide range of shows.

"The Arena will be a truly multi-functional venue," says Tim Wright of IMG, who are the world's largest sports marketing, event management and promotions agency.

"At the end of each game the pitch can be withdrawn under one of the stands, leaving a surface that people can jump around on without causing any damage. The technology is such that you could have the Republic of Ireland playing Brazil on Saturday and U2 in there on the Sunday."

Better news still is that with a retractable roof, The Arena can be used all year round.

"Up until now there's been nowhere for major artists like U2 and The Rolling Stones to play outside of the summer months, and even then you're at the mercy of the weather," Wright continues. "Whatever the season, we'll be looking to bring the biggest names in the world to the stadium."

With the ability to make it an enclosed structure, it's a moot point as to whether The Arena will need planning permission to stage individual concerts.

"That type of thing will have to be sorted out and, indeed, we're having our first meeting with Dublin Corporation this week. I must say, we've been delighted with the response to our announcement. We've touched base with all of the major Irish promoters, and over the next few months will be talking to them about what ideas and proposals they have."

Due for completion by the autumn of 2001, the £65 million stadium is being built on a 50 acre site just south of the Naas Road, and will be adjacent to the Citywest Business Campus.

— Stuart Clark