Christmas in Fermoy continues into April
Despite a recent spell of cold weather, summer months are fast approaching, but like many other towns in Ireland, Fermoy remains in a time warp as Christmas lights still decorate the town, even though they no longer light up the evenings.
The topic of the Christmas lights’ overstayed welcome is one which has been raised locally and further afield, such as in West Cork, where Independent Councillor Pat Hayes noted that he had also received a number of messages from the public requesting that the lights be taken down within his district.
Local councillor and chairperson of the Fermoy Christmas Lights Committee, Noel McCarthy, stated that he too has received such requests from the public, however the matter is out of the hands of the Christmas Lights Committee.
ESSENTIAL WORK?
Each year, the Fermoy Christmas lights are normally taken down at the end of January - with a level 5 lockdown in place, Cllr McCarthy noted however, that they could not take the lights down earlier this year.
“We think it should be classified as essential works because we want to take the Christmas lights down, because otherwise, they could be damaged and it could cost more money when there is no need for it.
“We want to take them down and we are ready to take them down, but we can’t because of the Covid-19 restrictions. It’s not protocol and we have to follow instructions,” Cllr McCarthy said.
Following discussions with the council, it is hoped that the lights may be taken down before the end of the month.
“The contractors are ready to go within a week’s notice and are ready and waiting to take them down,” Cllr McCarthy added.
An enquiry sent to Cork County Council regarding the matter, received a response stating: “the removal of the Christmas lights in Fermoy is not deemed as essential working during the current Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions”.