LAST UPDATE | 22 May
A NO-DRONE ZONE is in operation over parts of Dublin ahead of the UEFA Europa League final in the Aviva Stadium
A large-scale traffic and security operation is in place in the capital as fans travel to the match and celebrate in the city beforehand.
Some local businesses have raised concerns over impact of the road closures, with others saying the traffic management in place for this event is different than usual for big matches.
The expected attendance for the Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen match is in excess of 38,000 people. Kick-off is at 8pm and the stiles will open at 5pm.
A large scale Garda policing plan and Garda traffic management plan will be in place for this event. Specialist units will be deployed, such as the national public order unit, air support unit, mounted unit and armed support unit.
A no-drone area has been imposed in the airspace over the events.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) issued a warning to drone operators and aircraft pilots regarding unauthorised flights over the Aviva Stadium, directing anyone thinking of flying in the vicinity to comply with the safety notice to ensure the safety of people on the ground.
“The Europa League Final draws a very large crowd, and as such the airspace over these events has been designated a ‘No Drone Zone’. These areas must remain clear of unauthorized aircraft,” the IAA said in a statement.
“Unauthorized flights over the stadium and surrounding airspace pose a significant risk and may result in serious consequences for both players and fans,” it said.
“The safety and security of the public are of the utmost importance, and the IAA urges cooperation from all drone users to ensure a successful and incident-free Europa League Final.”
Heavy volumes of traffic should be expected in Dublin city centre and in the general Dublin 4 area throughout the day.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne yesterday, John Loughran, owner of Sandymount Hotel said today’s event will “look quite a bit different from the normal events, like the Six Nations games or even the normal soccer matches with Ireland playing”.
He noted that the road closures will have an impact on the hotel today.
“Normally for a Six Nations game or for an Irish fixture we would have, in front of the hotel, we would have marquees and beer tents and burger stands and that,” Loughran said.
“Having said that, I think the fixture is a great advertisement for the country and advertisement for Ireland and hopefully it will go off without incident,” he added.
Loughran said he has seen additional security cameras put up “all around the area”, along with a lot more signage.
“Clearly this is being taken seriously from a security point of view and probably at a level that is greater than anything I’ve seen in the stadium or around the stadium before,” he said.
Those who will be using the city are advised to plan their journey in advance and to expect delays and rolling road closures.
A vehicle cordon will be put in place from 3pm at the following locations:
All access routes will be maintained with a garda presence.
Access will be maintained for residents in so far as it is safe to do so, on production of valid driving licences and/or proof of address, gardaí have said.
They said that it may be necessary to exclude all traffic from the above roads if the volume of pedestrian traffic is such as to be unsafe to allow vehicular traffic access. This may happen two hours prior and after the event.
From 7am this morning, parking will be prohibited by An Garda Síochána at the following locations:
There are no facilities for parking of private vehicles or coaches. All vehicles must be parked legally.
A fan meeting point will be in place at Shelbourne Park for Bayer Leverkusen supporters.
Another fan meeting point will be in place at the RDS Simmonscourt too for Atalanta supporters.
These venues, one to the north side of the stadium and one to the south, will act as a designated meeting point for ticketed fans of each finalist team to congregate before the match and move to the stadium en-masse.
It is expected that a fan march from each of the participating team supporters to the Aviva Stadium will take place.
Atalanta FC fans are expected to leave Simmonscourt Road at approximately 5.30pm and walk to the Aviva Stadium via Simmonscourt Road, Merrion Road, Pembroke Road and Lansdowne Road.
It is expected that some rolling road closures in the areas of Merrion Road, Pembroke Road, Northumberland Road will be conducted by An Garda Síochána to facilitate the fan march along this route.
Bayer Leverkusen FC supporters are expected to leave Shelbourne Park at approximately 5.30pm and walk to the Aviva Stadium via South Lotts Road, and Bath Avenue.
Again, it is expected that some rolling road closures will be conducted by An Garda Síochána to facilitate the fan march along this route.
The Lansdowne Road Dart Station will close at 4pm today and will not reopen until tomorrow. All passengers intending to use the Dart in the area from 4pm will be directed to Grand Canal Dock or Sandymount stations.
These two stations will operate as normal.
Additional management measures for queuing and access from both stations will be put in place.
Walking signage to each Dart station will be put in place by Dublin City Council.
The Dart barriers on Lansdown Road will close at 4pm and will remain down for the duration of the event to facilitate free movement of trains. Pedestrians will move across the railway line via the under-pass in the Aviva Stadium.
South-bound traffic on Grand Canal Street will access the Merrion Road via Haddington Road and Northumberland Road and will access the Strand Road and Sandymount Area via South Lotts Road and Irishtown.
North-bound traffic on Merrion Road wishing to access Shelbourne Road towards the city centre will be diverted onto Pembroke Road, Northumberland Road, Haddington Road and Grand Canal Street.
The traffic diversions and road closures will remain in force until the event is completed and the roads are free of pedestrian traffic.
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