Breaking news this afternoon.
Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day parade will be cancelled over Coronavirus fears.
The Cabinet sub-committee dealing with the Coronavirus made the decision this afternoon, reports RTÉ News.
A press conference is set to take place later today.
Cork City Council made the decision to cancel their parade earlier this afternoon.
A statement issued by the council said that their primary concern remained with the “welfare of attendees and participants.”
“A risk assessment, based on World Health Organisation guidelines, was carried out by Cork City Council,” they said.
“… which concluded that based on the demographic of those attending the parade, the close proximity of people attending the event and the duration of the event (among other considerations), Cork City Council is not in a position to provide the necessary assurances in relation to current WHO Guidelines.”
Sligo town announced this afternoon that they have also cancelled their parade.
“The health and well-being of our community is our first priority,” said Finbarr Filan chairperson of Sligo’s St Patrick’s Day committee.
“Having reviewed the guidelines from the HSE and the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19, the committee feel it is appropriate to cancel this years event.”
21 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland so far, with 12 cases confirmed in the North.
Over 1,000 people have been tested for the virus in Ireland so far.
