FESTIVAL-GOERS looking forward to Electric Picnic this year have had their hopes dashed after Laois County Council decided not to grant the event a license.
It means the festival will more than likely have to be cancelled, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Council said their refusal to grant the licence to organisers was based on "advice made available from the HSE".
"Laois County Council has today made the decision to refuse a licence to hold the 2021 Electric Picnic event at Stradbally, Co Laois.
“The decision has been made following the most up to date public health advice made available to the Council from the HSE.
"Furthermore, it is noted that under current government measures for the management of Covid-19, events of this nature are restricted to an attendance of 500 people only."
Gutted to hear electric picnic has been cancelled was looking forward to seeing my Irish ☘️ brothers n sisters and my cousin Guinness
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 5, 2021
This news comes just a few days after Electric Picnic boss Melvin Benn told RTÉ that he was "100% fully expecting the Electric Picnic to be going ahead on the basis (that) nobody has told me I won't be able to."
It comes as a crushing blow to music-lovers, who had earmarked the festival as one of the first major steps back to pre-pandemic life.
Former Oasis front-man Liam Gallagher said he was "gutted" by the news, as he was looking forward to being back in Ireland with his "brothers and sisters".
"Gutted to hear Electric Picnic has been cancelled, was looking forward to seeing my Irish brothers and sisters and my cousin Guinness," he tweeted.
