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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Laura Lyne

Footage shows moment crowds break St Stephen's Green bandstand fencing and start 'raving'


The controversial fencing surrounding the bandstand in St Stephen's Green was broken into by crowds enjoying the sunshine in the park this evening.

Footage by Hannah Prendergast Marsh has emerged online of the moment a group decided to pull down the fencing which has come under fire for being "paternalistic and condescending".

As the fence is broken, crowds of young people decide to take advantage of the moment and began running onto the bandstand.

Many onlookers described a "rave" starting on the historic bandstand with one telling Dublin Live they had just sat down to enjoy the sunshine when out of nowhere the fencing was targeted.

A number of gardai are understood to have attended the scene this evening and cleared the crowds.

Dublin Live has contacted gardai for a statement.

The bandstand was fenced off yesterday with park operators the Office of Public Works saying the drastic step was taken to "protect the historic bandstand from any further damage".

But the decision has been blasted by People Before Profit who dubbed the step an "absolute joke".

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The party said: "Young people have sacrificed a lot over the last year and a half, now they're being punished for meeting up.

"The attitude from the Irish state is paternalistic and condescending.

"Instead of providing services like toilets and bins, the state withholds vital public spaces instead."

A spokeswoman for the OPW told Dublin Live they felt they had no option but to take the hardline stance.

She said: "St Stephen’s Green is a National Monument and Historic Park beloved by the citizens of Dublin and Ireland.

"The Green encompasses a number of important features including the Victorian Bandstand.

"We want visitors to enjoy the Green but OPW must also protect vulnerable historic features from vandalism and anti-social behaviour. In order to protect the historic bandstand from any further damage, a decision was taken to erect fencing to protect the structure."

Dublin Live has contacted the Office of Public Works for a further statement on this evening's incident.

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