No politics for St Patrick's day, says festival chief

The St Patrick's day festival should not be politicised by anti-war groups says the chief executive of the council Maria Moynihan.

The statement comes amid calls by the anti-war movement to wear white ribbons or armbands to the St Patrick's day parades this Monday.

Ed Horgan with the Peace and Neutrality Alliance says that the Shamrock has already been used for a political means.

Mr Horgan says that the Taoiseach used the Shamrock to show Irish support for President Bushes' position on Iraq in recent days.

Anti-war groups now want all those opposed to a war in Iraq to wear white ribbons for the parades.