The OPW said people had been climbing the slender steel supports that hold the bandstand’s roof.
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan has called on visitors to St Stephen’s Green to respect the park’s Victorian Bandstand after Thursday’s “reckless behaviour”.
The Minister, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), made the comments following scenes in the park yesterday afternoon in which a group of people gained access to the bandstand which had been fenced off two days earlier.
Footage at the scene showed people dancing, singing and climbing on the structure.
Gardaí attended the park on Thursday evening and the crowds dispersed. No arrests were made and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The OPW says it had cordoned off the area for health and safety reasons and to assess the fragile historic structure after incidents of reckless anti-social behaviour at the location over the previous days.
The Junior Minister said: “As a society, we have all endured a huge amount in the past months and we are understandably eager to enjoy the outdoors now that brighter days have arrived.
“However, this is no excuse for damaging historic structures and displaying reckless behaviour as we have witnessed yesterday and in the past days at the bandstand in St Stephen’s Green.
“Covid-19 is still circulating in the community and to protect the progress we have made, basic health measures still apply outdoors, including avoiding crowds and keeping your distance.”
He added: “We want visitors to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of the park this weekend, but we appeal to the public to respect this important heritage site and its historic features, to be mindful of other visitors in the park and to respect our OPW staff.
“The Green is an oasis in the city centre and I would ask you to help us keep it that way so everybody can enjoy it.”
The Victorian Bandstand was constructed in 1887, with the OPW saying the structure is “fragile” given its age.
It said: “In the past week, however, the bandstand became a place where groups were crowding in, oblivious to public health guidelines and social distancing, and posing a risk to themselves and others by climbing the slender steel supports that hold the bandstand’s roof.
“To prevent accidents and to assess the bandstand’s structural integrity, the OPW took the decision to fence off the historic bandstand.”
The OPW noted that the area that was closed off represents around 0.05% of the park’s 22 acres, all of which continue to remain open to the public for recreational purposes.
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