Laois gardaí appeal for patience ahead of Electric Picnic

Laois Gardaí have urged people going to the Electric Picnic to be patient when arriving at Stradbally for the big event.

They also moved to reassure concertgoers and local people that they will be on hand to deal with traffic hold ups and other road issues over the coming days.

Some 55,000 people have  bought tickets to the Electric Picnic which runs from Thursday to Sunday this year. A further 15,000 staff, entertainers and others will also attend.

Gates opened on Thursday but Gardaí expect the bulk of the crowd to descend on the Laois village from the four corners of Ireland and byond on Friday. The expectation is that people will begin to arrive from early Friday.

Speaking on behalf of Laois Gardaí Garda Sergeant Joe Culliton appealed to people to be patient as they arrive as delays are expected. He reassured people that where traffic volumes become significant measures can be taken to alleviate the situation.

Sgt Cullition urged the public to follow the signs if travelling by car to this year's event. 

He urged residents living in Stradbally and surrounding areas near the festival location to avoid using roads over the weekend. He said Gardaí would be on hand to help facilitate any journeys that need to be made.

Sgt Culliton said Gardaí had taken the extensive road works on the M7 and M8 Dublin Limerick Cork roads into account in their plans this year.

He also warned that Gardaí drink and drug driving checks would be operational over the weekend.

Some 300 Gardaí mainly from the Laois Offaly Garda division will be on duty this weekend polcing the event.