A number of issues have been directed at the Council on the eve of the community-led St Patrick’s Day parade in Armagh – one of the biggest annual events in the city’s calendar.
A Changing Places Toilet (CPT), for those with additional needs, will not be provided as the parade, on Monday afternoon, is not a Council-led event.
Many people have aired their grievances that ABC Council has not provided the event with such a much-needed facility.
But as per their CPT policy, the mobile toilet is provided at a minimum of 12 large-scale Council-led events each year; however, the St Patrick’s Day event is not a Council event – which has been the case for a number of years.
However, the community parade will be hosting a quiet area for persons with disabilities/sensory issues, which will be located outside the car park to the Trian Centre in Armagh.
This area will be closed off so everyone is safe to watch the parade. All music in the parade will play a single beat passing this area.
Ulster Unionist Councillor Julie Flaherty, an advocate for improving CPT facilities across the borough, weighed in on the issue to defend the Council.
“This is the case at all non-Council run events [and] no one is more sorry about this than me, but there is a policy in place which clearly outlines its usage at Council events.
“It is just not possible at present to provide the Council-owned mobile accessible toilets to all community events in the Borough. The same equipment can be hired from Accessaloo, for example, and can form part of the funding application for costs.
“I know this is not perfect for everyone – far from it – but no one more than me has banged on about these facilities. I am trying my very best, but I also know we still have some way to go.”
Armagh I understand’s Council were asked about this facility by the parade’s organising committee some weeks ago.
The issue of bunting – or lack thereof – has also been raised in recent days.
Again, St Patrick’s Day bunting has not been erected by the Council for a number of years. It was considered MIA (missing in action) for a number of years.
The issue of bunting stretches back to the legacy Armagh Council, when there was a heated debate in 2012 about replacing the well-worn bunting at that time. It is unclear if bunting was ever replaced.
While the bunting was found again in recent times, the Council has taken the position not to erect bunting for St Patrick’s Day, much to the chagrin of residents who lambatsted the lack of colour in the city as “embarrassing”.
When asked by Armagh I about this issue, a Council spokesperson replied: “Council will not be erecting bunting in Armagh for St Patrick’s Day, as has been the position for the last number of years.”
Lord Mayor of ABC Council, Sinn Féin – and Armagh – Councillor Sarah Duffy, said: “As Mayor, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to our beautiful city this St Patrick’s weekend.
“St Patrick’s Day is a national celebration, and Armagh’s unique place as the Home of St Patrick should mean Armagh’s celebrations are prominent and well-supported by ABC Council.
“We will continue to work with the community to make sure this year’s celebrations are a success.
“As Armagh City councillors, myself and Councillor John Óg O’Kane will also be working with council officials to secure improvements, including a series of Council-led events in the years ahead.”
