[Colm Moore]

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=4490

World Cup Qualifiers

Rep Of Ireland -v- Italy
Saturday - 10th October 2009
Stiles Opening at 18.00pm
Match Kick Off: 20.00pm
Event Finishes: 21.45pm
Expected Attendance: 76,000

Rep Of Ireland -v- Montenegro
Wednesday - 14th October 2009#
Stiles opening at 17.00pm
Match Kick Ooff: 19.00pm
Event Finishes: 20.45pm
Expected Attendance: 60,000


Patrons Travelling to Croke Park:

All patrons travelling to Croke Park Stadium for the event are advised to utilise public transport and the park and ride facilities. Croke Park stadium is serviced by bus, train and Luas transport facilities.

Patrons who travel by road are advised to travel early to avail of the supervised parking facilities.

There are two supervised car parks available in the vicinity of Croke Park.

1. Clonliffe College, Drumcondra Road 3,100 spaces
(Access from Lower Drumcondra Road) 100 Special Needs Spaces.
2. O’Connell’s School, North Richmond Street. 400 Spaces
(Access from the North Circular Road.) 10 Special Needs Spaces

No Traffic will be permitted to leave the car parks for a period after the games, in order to allow foot patrons leave the area safely.

Patrons should be aware that illegally parked vehicles will be impounded or clamped and will be liable to a fine of €130.00.

Drivers should be aware that illegally or improperly parked vehicles have the potential to cause traffic disruption, obstruction and difficulty to emergency vehicles that may need to access the narrow residential streets that surround Croke Park Stadium.

Patrons are advised to travel to Croke Park via the M50 motorway to Navan Road, Finglas Road, Drumcondra Road. These routes lead directly to Croke Park. Supporters arriving via the M50 /M1 motorways are advised to allow time for traffic delays. Dublin Port Tunnel will be open to all vehicles.

After the game patrons will have the option of travelling the Belfast Road (M1) or on the M50 to the (N2) Ashbourne Road, (N3) Navan Road, (N4) Lucan Road, (N7) Naas Road and (N11) Wexford Road.


Special Needs Parking:

There are no special needs parking facilities on the public streets within the Croke Park cordon area.

The parking facility in Clonliffe College does have a large and very suitable special needs parking facility very close to the stadium. Entry is via Drumcondra Road only. There is a further smaller facility at O’Connells School which is again very close to the stadium.


Bus/Coach Parking:

There is a limited bus/coach parking facility at Mountjoy Square South and East. There will not be any facility for coach parking on Mountjoy Square North or West. Parking will be on a first come first served basis. Ensure that parking regulations are complied with. Double parking of buses will not be permitted. Drivers are also requested to only turn engines when in a position to depart Mountjoy Square.

There is a secondary parking facility at Western Way (off Phibsboro Road). Drivers utilising this facility are also asked to comply with the above requirements.


Park and Ride Facility:

Please refer to www.fai.ie for details of park and ride facilities.


Pre Event Traffic Restrictions:

As with all events at Croke Park, a Garda Cordon will be in effect on the streets that lead to Croke Park. Only accredited vehicles will be permitted to pass by this cordon. All vehicles will be checked for accreditation.

Local residents, their immediate families, local business community are in possession of passes and will be facilitated at the barriers. Passes however do not guarantee entry through the cordon where pedestrian volumes exist.

As a guideline the Garda cordon will be in place one hour prior to stiles opening time and one hour post event to enable match patrons to arrive and depart safely.


Patron Search:

All patrons entering the Garda cordon will be the subject of a ticket check by Stewards and search by GardaÃ*. Any offensive articles, e.g. glass bottles, air horns, large flagpoles will be seized. Patrons are advised not to bring any unnecessary baggage with them and are advised to travel early to the stadium to avoid any unnecessary delays.


Ticket Outlets Outside Croke Park:

Please refer to www.fai.ie for ticket sales.


Public Order:

Patrons are advised that the GardaÃ* will not permit the consumption of alcohol outside public houses, while walking along the street or in any other public place.

Patrons are asked to have consideration for local residents and refrain from anti-social behaviour such as on street drinking and urinating etc.


Crime:

Patrons are advised to be aware of their own personal safety and security while attending the event. They should ensure the security of personal belongings while on route to and from the stadium i.e. purses/wallets/tickets/ Mobile Phones.

Patrons who arrive by vehicle should also ensure that property is not left exposed in parked vehicles. They should ensure that car windows, sunroofs are correctly closed.


Croke Park Hotel Car Park:

All residents of the Croke Park Hotel will be permitted entry subject to pedestrian presence at the time and are requested to access the hotel via North Circular Road / Russell Street junction where there will be a register of all guest vehicles.