The organisers of the Longitude Festival in Dublin's Marlay Park have issued an apology after concertgoers were delayed by lengthy queues on their way into the opening day of the festival on Friday.
Gates opened for the second day of the festival shortly after 2pm on Saturday and things were reported to be "flowing".
All entrances flowing at #Longitude2017 pic.twitter.com/EVTRmtcBet
— Longitude Festival (@longitudefest) July 15, 2017
Festival-goers had taken to social media on Friday to express their dissatisfaction with the crowd control shortcomings.
.@longitudefest @GardaTraffic is this your idea of crowd mgt? Ppl close to passing out in the crowds pic.twitter.com/NrUIIz8vs4
— Dee Power (@DeePower_) July 14, 2017
The chaos at #Longitude was absolutely unacceptable stampedes and 90 min queues @longitudefest @mcd_productions @GardaTraffic
— Gerard Hanaphy (@Gerard_Hanaphy) July 14, 2017
Just out from longitude. Queues this afternoon were disgraceful and put several people in danger!
— Emma Cashman (@madaemz) July 14, 2017
Responding on the festival's Twitter page on Saturday, Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, said: "The opening hour of yesterday's entry was not what I wanted. We had encouraged people to arrive early and they headed [sic] the encouragement to a greater level than anticipated, making that first hour difficult, and I owe those caught up in it an apology."
#Longitude2017 is now open! pic.twitter.com/B4OkHpeUoS
— Longitude Festival (@longitudefest) July 15, 2017
"However, every single person caught up in the shock of the uncomfortable start was able to continue into the concert and enjoy the day despite that," Benn continued.
"As you would anticipate, my teams have worked throughout the night to improve the entry for today and tomorrow [so] everyone can enjoy Longitude at its best."
An apology #Longitude2017 pic.twitter.com/4j0zx02ZXX
— Longitude Festival (@longitudefest) July 15, 2017
The Weeknd is headlining on Saturday with Mumford & Sons wrapping things up on Sunday.
