Plan to stay safe this St Patrick’s week- end

UNDOUBTEDLY it is one of the biggest festivals of the year in most towns throughout the country and with it falling on Friday this year, St Patrick’s Day celebrations will extend into the week- end.

The various parades and activities throughout the county are a terrific testimony to the countless volunteers who help make the events happen be it through organising or participation.

And, it’s a difficult task to keep on the road and I recall many a year when Sligo’s main parade was threatened with extinction on more than one occasion due to lack of finance mainly but also from lack of volunteers.

Thankfully, Sligo has managed to continue with its long tradition of parades and this year will see a new body overseeing affairs - a combination of members of the former St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and those invovled with Sligo Business Improvement District. It’s very heartening to see new blood come on board and the Parade in Sligo will be for the better as a result.

While the parade always passes off with its usual vibrancy, colour and excitement I have always found that post parade and in particular at night that Sligo’s streets can take on an entirely different complexion.

It has prompted the Gardaí to launch a nationwide campaign in relation to safety on the streets, aimed primarily at young people socialising. Last year, in the Sligo/ Leitrim Garda Division, nine young people reported being assaulted on St. Patrick’s night, there were 12 Public Order incidents and five reported thefts on the night. The figures are quite staggering for such small counties. I’ve seen the aftermath of such St Patrick’sd Day assaults being played out in the local District Court subsequently. Life changing injuries have often occurred and not least too the damage to future careers as a result of drink fuelled rows that are over in seconds but which can have lifelong consequences. Gardaí are appealing to young people this yearto take reasonable care at all times while out socialising, avoid drinking to excess and ensure that they arrange a lift home.