Ruling Quiets U2 Protest, Lets Rockers Play Dublin

U2, a rock band that rose from the obscurity of Dublin clubs to become a major international act, will get to play for hometown fans after all.

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday the group can hold its Aug. 30-31 performances in Dublin - a victory for 80,000 ticket-holding U2 fans over a handful of Dublin residents worried about the noise, litter and rowdiness associated with pop concerts.

Earlier in the week, a lower court had blocked the group’s performances, ruling the concerts would have violated planning laws that govern south Dublin’s Lansdowne Park stadium.

With no other venue available in the Irish capital, it seemed the group would be taking its eight-month tour practically everywhere in Europe except its home.

Previously criticized at home for failing to tour regularly in Ireland, U2 promoters had already retreated this time from staging the concerts elsewhere in Dublin for fear of crowd and traffic chaos.