Kieran Mulvey to mediate in row over Garth Brooks concerts

The chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission Kieran Mulvey has accepted an invitation to mediate between the GAA and residents around Croke Park in a protracted dispute over the forthcoming Garth Brooks concerts.

A previous meeting last month broke down over what was described as a complete lack of trust on the part of residents over how events are organised at the stadium.

In a letter to elected representatives today, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times , GAA director general Paraic Duffy said Mr Mulvey had agreed to chair a meeting next Tuesday aimed at finding a "long term agreement around the staging of events at Croke Park".

“I am confident that he can help us to mediate agreement on a Charter that will meet the needs of residents, GAA and other stakeholders,” he wrote.

Some 400,000 tickets have been sold for five concert dates this July in one of the most widely anticipated concerts ever staged in Ireland.

There are around 27,000 households in the vicinity around the stadium and it is understood that there are ongoing difficulties in reaching agreements on major events, underscored by the lack of a single community representative group to liaise with the GAA.

Tonight the organisation declined to comment on the pending meeting. A spokesman said the letter was private correspondence and the association could not discuss the matter until the process commences.

Local independent councillor for the area Nial Ring, who had previously said local residents would do “all in their power” to stop the events due to a lack of trust, has welcomed the development.

“I am delighted to see that the GAA have taken on board that the local people and politicians want consultation and it’s welcome,” he said.