Urgent Concerns Raised Over Crowd Safety at Electric Picnic

UPDATE: Concerns are mounting over crowd safety at the Electric Picnic festival held in Stradbally, as local officials highlight severe issues with traffic management, waste disposal, and attendance numbers. Independent Councillor Aisling Moran voiced her alarm during a recent meeting of the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District, stating, “We are so lucky to date that nobody has been injured or killed.”

The festival, which attracted a reported 80,000 attendees, faced overwhelming crowd control challenges. Cllr Moran, who attended the event on both Friday and Saturday, described the scene as “disgraceful,” with insufficient waste bins leading to litter strewn across the grounds. She emphasized the need for immediate action, stating there were “rubbish everywhere.”

Traffic management has also come under fire. Cllr Moran recounted her own experience of being stuck in traffic for over one hour and forty minutes trying to return home. She criticized the routing of vehicles directed toward Portlaoise and Monasterevin, which she argued was inefficient and chaotic. “Traffic should be managed better,” she implored.

Moreover, Cllr Moran raised doubts about the actual number of festival-goers, asserting, “There is no way there was only 80,000 people at it.” She pointed out that previous events had better crowd distribution across attractions, while this year saw massive gatherings around main stage performances.

Cllr Moran is part of a committee established to address Electric Picnic-related issues, but she expressed frustration with its effectiveness, noting, “We had one meeting, told what was happening, and that was it.” She insisted on the necessity for more frequent consultations between the council and festival organizers. “Every year it is the same problems. It needs to be addressed,” she said.

In response to the concerns raised, fellow Councillor Paschal McEvoy acknowledged the hard work of council staff in managing the festival’s operations but also recognized the need for improvement in crowd safety measures.

As discussions continue, the community is urged to keep a close eye on upcoming meetings that may lead to significant changes in how the festival is organized in future years. The urgency of these issues cannot be overstated, as the safety of attendees remains a top priority for local officials.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities work to ensure a safer experience for all at future events.