Gardaí and Aiken Promotions issue vital information for 150,000 fans attending Ed Sheeran shows in the Phoenix Park

The day is almost here.

Ahead of the final three shows on Ed Sheeran's 2018 Irish Tour in Phoenix Park, Dublin, Gardaí and Aiken Promotions have issued a joint statement on safety and security for all 150,000 persons set to attend. Speaking at the Phoenix Park Visitor's Centre prior to the concerts, which take place 16, 18 and 19 May, Aiken Promotions' Event Controller Sophie Ridley said: "Ed fans in this country have always been the most polite people." Nonetheless, Ridley called for fans to exert caution after one girl broke her neck while attempting to take a short-cut to Páirc Uí Caoimh on 6 May, and another broke her legs while trying to listen to the same show from a rooftop. "Please don't climb buildings. Please don't walk through the forest. Don't climb the trees. Stay on level ground. We want people to be safe both inside and outside the venue. We attended one of those incidents within a stadium and we don't want to attend to another situation like that. "We have security and stewards throughout the arena; in the park and in the local residential areas. We will also have doctors, including emergency ambulances, paramedics and volunteers from the Order of Malta," Ridley continued. Ridley also reiterated the current policy on bags, noting that anybody who does not bring a bag will then be fast-tracked into the venue "If you bring bags, they must be less than A4. If you bring one bigger than that, it won't be allowed in." Any bag that exceeds this size will not be permitted into the venue nor will you be able to leave it unattended in the area. Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley also requested that concertgoers respect local residents. "I'm sure they'll have had enough of Ed Sheeran by that stage," she said. "It's hugely important, because we have 150,000 people. The plan is to minimise disruption of the community and restore order quickly. "People will be in high spirits after the concert, so just be mindful of the residents. Also, clearly the Phoenix Park is a lovely amenity. We'd ask people respect that and be mindful." On the matter of security, the Superintendent said there would be a plainclothed presence, while further crowd control support comes from the Air Support Unit and Dog Unit. On transport and parking, Ridley emphasised that there would be no parking in the vicinity of the park. "Please plan your journey to and from (the venue). Read the travel advice on the Ed App, and there's advice on the Ed Garda App. You can connect to both from the Aiken and Garda websites. "There are shuttle buses from the Quays that will bring you close to the entrances. You can book those online. "There is also a range of Dublin Bus and Luas options. They will bring you all close to the park, and there are pick up points after the show, which will be the Cunningham and Ormond Road, but none in the park." She also pointed out that traffic restrictions would be in place around the park vicinity between 10.30pm and 11.30pm. For parents bringing children, there will be free Tag-A-Kid wristbands available, which a parent or guardian can write their phone number on. Furthermore, there will be two orange information tents; two outside and one inside the venue. Tags will be available from these points. Tickets will be subject to an ID check, and all under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they are attending. This person must remain with them at all times for the duration of the event. Gates open at 5pm for all three shows on Wednesday 16, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May. Stage times are as follows: 5.45pm - Beoga 6.30pm - Jamie Lawson 7.30pm - Anne Marie 8.45pm - Ed Sheeran *Please note these are subject to change. For more information, visit Aiken Promotions' official site or An Garda Síochána's website here.