Group opposes bar licences for Croke Park

The introduction of 11 new bars to Croke Park would increase the risk of drink-driving, as well as "alcohol-induced violence", a Dublin community group has warned.

In an objection to the GAA's proposals for new bars at Croke Park, the Croke Park Street Committees Association said: "Experience has shown abroad that alcohol has been a contributing factor to rioting both inside stadiums and outside." In addition, providing alcohol would cause "grave danger to attendees" who opted to celebrate a victory or "drown their sorrows" at Croke Park before driving home.

"The likelihood that such a person becomes involved in a serious or fatal accident is greatly increased," the community group wrote in a submission to Dublin City Council.

The alliance of local residents and members of a community centre that operates out of Croke Park was recently formed to combat a perceived attempt by the GAA to marginalise community involvement in the stadium.

Eamon O'Brien, a spokesman for the group, said it was particularly concerned about the bars in light of the GAA's approach to the operation of a members' bar for the Irish Handball Centre Social Club, located under Hill 16, off St Joseph's Avenue.

A GAA spokesman said it was a "complete myth" that the bars would lead to public disorder problems. "The bars would not be open during matches and would cease serving, strictly, one hour afterwards . . . I think these objections are based on some other agenda not related to bars."