GAA and Garda silence on Croke Park crush at Laois game

GAA HQ and Garda HQ have declined to respond to questions on an apparent crush in the Hogan Stand in Croke Park during the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live posed a number of questions to both Croke Park and the Gardai over the incident which occured in the run-up to the Laois V Down semi-final.

Neither organisation has commented despite the intervention of uniformed gardaí to disperse the congestion which fans have reported to authorities.

Gardaí were pictured at the entry to section 329 of the Hogan Stand at around 3.45pm where a large number of Laois fans had congregated.

There was no fracas and fans were singing Laois songs. However, many other supporters, some with children, got caught up in the gathering which took on a crush-like scenario.

The concentration of fans was located at the entrance to the only functioning male toilet in Croke Park for non-premium ticket holders. The only working toilet for females was located nearby.

One fan with a small child was irate with a volunteer steward calling the situation a "disgrace".

After the game the Leinster Express posed questions to both the Gardaí and the GAA.

We asked the GAA why were many toilets out of order and when was the GAA made aware of the problem. We asked asked was consideration given to switching fans to the Cusack. 

We also asked what review is being carried out about the crowd control issues at the operational toilet ahead of the Laois Down game as gardai had to intervene to disperse supporters.

The GAA was asked the questions on Wednesday, June 27 but had not replied by close of business June 29.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live also contacted Garda HQ about the incident. We asked if they could confirm if gardaí had to step in to disperse a crowd congestion problem at approx 3.45pm.

We also asked if Gardaí on duty were advised of limited toilet facilities that may give rise to congestion and potential safety issues for fans.

On the foot of the congestion being reported to the stadium staff, we asked what actions did Gardaí take with stadium authorities.

Finally, we asked if a review meeting is scheduled or has taken place between stadium authorities and Gardaí on foot of the incident due to the health and safety issues that were in evidence and that were notified to stewards on the day.

Garda HQ also declined to reply to the questions by June 29.

GAA President Larry McCarthy, who was sitting in the Ard Comhairle, was asked about the problems on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland. He claimed to have been unaware any issues at the games, but said the GAA would look into the matter.

“No I wasn’t witness to anything. You’re right I was there, one brilliant game, one not so great game. But I mean there was 17,500 people there in an 82,000 seat stadium so it's difficult to see how there was congestion," he said.

Speaking on Monday, June 26 he committed to examine the matter futher.

"But we’ll certainly look at it this morning I can assure you. The lower Hogan was open and the premium section was open and it was general admission so you could sit anywhere essentially. And we opened up the Davin as well as the crowd came in to give people plenty and plenty of room,” he said.

The Leinster Express will report what Gardaí and the GAA have to say if they deem that the issue of public safety of fans in Croke Park merits comment.