Brooks concerts would 'save the nation from sorrow and misery', says Dublin Mayor
Dublin's Lord Mayor Christy Burke says the Garth Brooks concerts must go ahead "to save the nation from sorrow and misery".
Last night, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has intervened in the issue, urging the Dublin City manager Owen Keegan to meet with the Head of the Labour Relations Commission Kieran Mulvey "to seek a positive outcome".
Today, some residents living near Croke Park have contacted the US Embassy asking the US President Barack Obama to intervene in the Garth Brooks' debacle.
"I’m awaiting a call from the chief executive Owen Keegan in order to try and salvage the concerts and to save the nation from sorrow and misery," said Mayor Burke.
"There’s also calls from residents in the Ballybough area, to seek a meeting with the American Embassy or ambassador to ask Mr Obama to appeal to Garth Brooks to come to Dublin in July.
"Also the Mexican Ambassador to Ireland has indicated to me yesterday at the Mansion House that his diplomatic skills would be available if needed."
The concerts are now looking increasingly likely to ahead after all.
Croke Park resident Brian Duff, who had sought a High Court injunction to prevent any of the concerts from going ahead, has now dropped his case.
Paddy Power this morning suspended the betting on the Garth Brooks concerts going ahead after a string of bets and a letter from the country singer saw the odds plunge from 8/1 to 1/2 before the market was shut.
A spokesperson for Paddy Power said “After relentless backing from suspicious Stetson wearing punters in Paddy Power shops from Letterkenny to Listowel it means that all bets are off but the gigs look to be very much on.”
Boylesports have slashed the odds on all five nights to going ahead from 6/1 to 2/1.
Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at Boylesports, commented: “The country is in turmoil over the cancellation of the five dates at Croke Park and fans are pulling out all the stops the get the concerts to go ahead.
“With Enda Kenny on board and Garth Brooks begging to entertain at Croke Park it looks as though there could be a turnaround and the concerts could go ahead after all.”
