Thousands of Bon Jovi fans have been hit with a ‘shot through the heart’ as Saturday night’s special drive-in concerts are set to be cancelled because of Covid.
The promoter behind Retro Drive-in Movies had sold out all his tickets to show the massive exclusive live concert in Slane, Cork and Leopardstown in Dublin.
But now he has told the Mirror that it looks like he sadly must cancel the events after conversations with gardaí over Covid public health concerns.
Ryan O’Neill has already cancelled his drive-in movies in Dublin and Cork this weekend after he said the local gardaí in Cork told him he was in breach of public health guidelines.
He has decided to cancel Dublin as well on foot of this.
The Irish Mirror has also been contacted by the parents of a child with special needs who said the family drive-in movies they attended will be “sadly missed.”
And the father added that they were a “Godsend” for the parents of disabled kids looking for a safe day out during Covid.
Mr O’Neill said that he is set to lose €30,000, lay off staff and disappoint a lot of Bon Jovi fans if he can’t put the show on this weekend.
But he said that he hopes to reschedule it for sometime in June if possible.
Mr O’Neill told the Mirror: “All we’re looking for here is common sense.
“I have been told by the gardaí that the drive-in cinema format is in breach of Covid guidelines.
“So we’ve cancelled all our movies in Cork and Dublin on foot of that, and Bon Jovi is off too, as we await further clarification.”
Mr O’Neill said that it will be particularly disappointing to let down the families of disabled children who were regular customers at the movies.
He said: “A high percentage of our customers were vulnerable or disabled people, people with sensory issues and their families.
“They wouldn’t be able to go to a cinema normally you see, so some of them have been on to me and they are particularly disappointed.
“We hope to be able to get back up and running for them especially.
A spokesman for the gardaí told the Mirror: “The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A (6A)) (COVID-19) (NO.2) Regulations 2021 (SI 217/2021) came into operation on the 10th May 2021 and replaced previous regulations.
“Regulation 8 places certain restrictions on individuals organising relevant events outdoors.
“Activity must at all times be carried out in accordance with the current applicable statutory regulations, which may change the effect of previous regulations.”
The issue was also raised in the Dáil yesterday, where Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Neale Richmond said it was “absolutely ludicrous” the drive-ins are not considered safe.
Green leader, Eamon Ryan, responded for the Government and said he agreed with Mr Richmond.
