Parade cancelled over state of street

A St Patrick’s Day parade has had to be cancelled in one town because the main street is in such a bad state of repair.

The organising committee in Athboy, Co Meath, says it was “devastated” at having to take the decision but was forced to do so over health and safety worries.

Treasurer Frances Walsh said the uneven surface and pitted surface made “the main street a disaster area”.

“We were afraid the floats on the tractors and trailers might not be safe. A playgroup said they might have to ask parents of the children for their permission. We had to explain the situation to the underwriters and their advice was not to hold it.

“It was to be our 30th anniversary and we had the silver bands booked from Navan and Kentstown as well as Athboy.”

Locals say the main street has borne the brunt of works by the council to upgrade the town’s water and sewerage systems. They admit the freezing weather also contributed to the deterioration of the top layer of road surface. While there are a few potholes, locals say the rough and pitted surface cause most of the problems.

Meath County Council has begun a €1.5m programme of works to reinstate the road and footpaths, which it says will take 32 weeks to complete.

Meanwhile, while the St Patrick’s Day parade committee said it had no alternative route because there was only the one thoroughfare in the town. It said it “guarantees a parade of all parades next year”.