The Garda has vetoed the use of Dublin's Phoenix Park for the National Road Championships in June over security. The title races may now be run in Wicklow (Photo: George Doyle)
In what can only be described as a shocking turn of events, Gardai have vetoed the Phoenix Park being used from the National Road Championships in June.
The Garda has said a major security operation will be held in the park from June 23rd to 26th, ruling out its use for the championships.
And in another major blow, the Garda has also said that so many of its personnel will be needed for the security event that no other venue for the championships in Dublin is possible because the force would not have the gardai to commit to policing it.
Advertisement
The title races - time trials and road races - were set to be based from the park and to at least start and finish there, though precise routes had yet to be announced.
The events, which have been troubled for many months, were to include the elite and U23 TTs, for women and men.
And after they were completed on the Thursday of championship week, the Masters and women's races were set for Saturday, with the combined elite and U23 men for Sunday.
Orwell Wheelers had stepped in to effectively rescue the troubled championships after no club in Munster, which was due to host the races this year, could be found.
And news that Orwell's venue of the park has now been ruled out throws the championships into some chaos.
Wicklow has been touted as a possible venue now, though with less than six weeks remaining until the last weekend in June, it is a worry the plans have not taken shape yet.
However, Orwell is a huge club with vast experience of running great races and if anyone can pull this out of the bag, they can.
Related News
Cycling Ireland statement in full
The National Road Race and Time Trial Championships may take place in Wicklow, following an announcement from the Garda Síochana, that they cannot take place in the Phoenix Park as previously planned.
On the weekend of the 23-26 June there will be restricted access to the Phoenix Park due to a major security operation that will be in place; this means that no public events will be granted access to the park.
Likewise no other location in the Dublin area could be considered due to Garda resources required for this security operation.
This recent development comes as a massive disappointment to the event hosts Orwell Wheelers.
The National Road Championships take place on the 23-26 June, with the Championships fielding competition for Elite Women and Men, U23 Men, Veteran Men and Masters Men and Women.
Race director Stephen O’Shea said: “Naturally, we are devastated to learn that we must change locations, as we were so excited to bring road racing back to the Phoenix Park. Our 10 weeks of planning just got put in the bin.
"The statutory meeting was in full flow when a very senior member of the Gardaí interrupted the group meeting and gave us the bad news.
"We will need a few days to consider our options and allow us to regroup. I always had a plan for another location but to pull this off now will be incredibly challenging. Putting my personal views aside we must push on…. we only have 5 weeks to go.“
Denis Gleeson, President of Orwell Wheelers said “In all my years involved in various sports, I have never been so disappointed when the news broke. We were shell-shocked.
"Our club is one big family and moving location now will be difficult. We have a fantastic club spirit but we will need support now from all in the bigger cycling Family. We still plan a big event but have also to be realistic with such a short run in time.”
Topics
