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Taoiseach: Garth Brooks cancellation a shock to the economy and our reputation

Enda Kenny claimed that the gigs could have been worth “a quarter of billion” to Dublin’s economy.

Hugh O'Connell / YouTube

TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has said the events that led to Garth Brooks cancelling five concerts at Croke Park “appeared to have been very badly handled all around”.

He was speaking this evening in the wake of news that the country singer had pulled out of the gigs.

Kenny described it as a “shock to the system, in terms of the economy of this city and the reputation of our country”, and it could pose an economic loss to Dublin of €250 million.

“The point is that the singer involved here takes a very strong view of his integrity and credibility as a performer, as an artist,” Kenny said.

“I’m sure there is a great disappointment to his many hundreds of thousands of fans here.”

He added that even if Fianna Fáil’s Bill on the issue was passed, “it’s too late now”:

Mr Brooks has already confirmed he’s not coming. He’s not coming. There will be no concerts at all now. None.

Read: All FIVE Garth Brooks concerts have been cancelled >

More: What do you do now if you have a Garth Brooks ticket? >

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:25 AM

    Just don’t let that idiot d’arcy anywhere near him this time

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    Mute Shane Cormican
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    Mar 24th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Don’t worry he won’t as he wont want his wife leaving him for a real man

    22
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    Mute Eyepopper
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:37 AM

    Hopefully we’ll get an update on what its like to be a sex symbol.

    166
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    Mute Meanderingsz
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:48 AM

    The other guy Jerry Bunting, will be doing a lecture in Belfast for the ‘European Young Bar Association Spring Conference’, April 7-9.
    For those who may be interested..

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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:24 AM

    I wonder will D’Arcy get a ticket!

    84
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    Mute anthony campion
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 2:22 PM

    Wonder will “my wife Jenny and the girls in the office” go to see him

    77
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    Mute KM TON
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:37 AM

    But he lost the case!! And then walked away! Why is he getting so much exposure here?? Because he has a hurling statue in his office? jeez…

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 11:12 AM

    Because ppl will spend money

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    Mute KM TON
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 12:25 PM

    You’re right Mark! People are stupid

    29
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    Mute Richard F
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 12:01 PM

    What’s the fascination with this fella he was only doing what he’s paid a fortune to do and lost the case your man is rotten away in prison and this fella is going around the world making millions out of him

    68
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:25 AM

    How many times can they milk this cow.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 11:13 AM

    You milk a cow every day, twice a day!

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    Mute Anthony P
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:33 AM

    €32 a ticket. Good luck selling out that gig.

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    Mute Adam
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 11:45 AM

    “He visited Ireland last year”? Wasn’t it more like late January this year? Maybe it’s both.

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    Mute Joe Conlon
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 12:48 PM

    Hi Adam, I’m going to be a Pedantic Pat for a minute, if you are Chinese then it would be late last year as the Chinese new year starts in February, with that I’m going off to see if I can be pedantic with anybody else, have a good one.

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    Mute Elaine Shannon
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    Mar 24th 2016, 9:00 AM

    I’m assuming these lads are getting paid. Kind of obscene they are getting rich off the back of that poor misfortune Avery isn’t it?

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    Mute Phantom Arse
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:29 AM

    Are people still interested in making a murderer?

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:42 AM

    Yes.

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    Mute Anne Clarke
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 11:47 AM

    Why the difference in price between Galway and Cork?

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    Mute W1K
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 2:07 PM

    Smaller venue in Galway

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    Mute Jack Falltrades
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:27 AM

    He’ll have plenty of work here if he wants it, this country is full of avery’s!

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    Mute Les Behan
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 11:00 AM

    You’re for the birds. Get it, Avery’s, birds?

    “I’ve had my fun and that’s all that matters!”

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    Mute Jack Falltrades
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 12:17 PM

    Love it

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    Mute Lukey
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:33 AM

    is his partner in crime jerry buting also coming

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    Mute Meanderingsz
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 10:49 AM

    Hes booked for the ‘European Young Bar Association Spring Conference’ in Belfast so he may be doing some other ‘personal appearances’

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    Mute Barry Kelly
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    Mar 24th 2016, 8:09 AM

    Hope someone asks him about that hurling trophy.

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    Mute Mondoburley
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    Mar 24th 2016, 8:52 AM

    Just answer the question, are they getting out or wha??? End of….

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    Mute the phantom
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    Mar 24th 2016, 7:52 AM

    It’s about time that pro bono pays out!

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    Mute Tommy
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    Mar 23rd 2016, 8:06 PM

    Yes!!!!!!!

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    Mute glenoir1
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    Mar 24th 2016, 8:04 AM

    Who cares

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