A controlled access area will be in place from 6am to 11pm on Sunday 26th August 2018 for the Mass by Pope Francis in the Phoenix Park. The priority for this event is public transport, including Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSV’s) in order to ensure the safety of the high volumes of pedestrians expected. Taxis will be allowed to move through the controlled access area, subject to significant limitations including:
- High volumes of pedestrians are expected along the routes from the transport hubs to the Phoenix Park and all vehicles, including taxis, will not be allowed along these routes.
- The controlled access area includes closure of roads east of the M50 between and including the N3, N4 and N7; North of the N7 and Grand Canal; South and West of the N2 to Cross Guns Bridge and west of O’Connell Street.
Dublin City remains open for business with the eastern corridor largely unaffected (M1, Port Tunnel, Eastlink).
Under no circumstances will taxi fares to the Phoenix Park, or the roads/streets around the Phoenix Park, be facilitated when the controlled access area is in place.
Where possible and subject to the safety of pedestrians, taxis will be facilitated. For example, to take a passenger from Stillorgan Road to the Rotunda or Holles Street Hospitals will be facilitated. If scheduling fares to the airport, plan accordingly and allow extra time for the journey. All taxi drivers are asked to study the details available on the Garda website, and to be familiar with the limitations in the controlled access area.
In addition to the road closures published on the Garda website, other roads may be temporarily closed (depending on the prevailing conditions at the time) to vehicular traffic due to the high volume of pedestrians.
For further information, see www.garda.ie which will be updated in advance of the event.
The following arrangements have been confirmed by An Garda Siochana:
- All existing Taxi Ranks within the Dublin Region will be operational with the exception of Aston Quay and Heuston Station.
- There will be accommodation for taxis at Dublin Industrial Estate with vehicle access via Slaney Road/ Finglas Rd Junction.