Scores of residents mounted a picket outside Dublin's Croke Park stadium, where the rock band finished the last of their three homecoming gigs in front of 240,000 fans on Monday night.

Dozens of trucks were blocked when they arrived in the early hours to a remove the sound system and 56 tonnes of video equipment for the group's next two dates in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Homeowners were demonstrating against Dublin City Council's decision to give stadium owners, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), and promoters MCD permission to work through the night to dismantle and remove the stage after they had already suffered three nights of loud music.

U2 bosses fear the specialist equipment for the 360 stage will not be set up in the city's Ullevi Stadium in time for next two legs of the world tour on Friday and Saturday.

Tour director Craig Evans stood on the sidelines as he watched the vital audio and visual equipment - which should have already been shipped out - being packed into scores of HGVs after a deal was brokered to suspend the protest, allowing 54 trucks in.

"It will be tight," he said.

It takes a week to construct the 360-degree custom-built stage, which features a claw-shaped centrepiece.

While the band has three specially designed claws which travel ahead of the tour, it has just one sound and screen system.

Protesters will hold a meeting with officials later today.