St Patrick’s Day: Police warning as public events return

Police have urged people to “act responsibly” as major St Patrick’s Day events take place in Northern Ireland for the first time in three years.

Parades and other festivities have been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the larger events, parades will be held in Downpatrick, County Down and Armagh, each with special connections to Ireland’s patron saint.

Belfast Police have issued a warning about anti-social behaviour.

The city council has been organizing a number of events this year from March 10-20, including a parade taking place on Thursday afternoon.

The Beat Carnival parade starts at Belfast City Hall from 13:00 GMT and heads to Writers’ Square.

Belfast Mayor Kate Nicholl said the city would “come alive with color and performance”.

However, while encouraging people to enjoy the day, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said “unruly behavior caused by people celebrating excessively will not be tolerated”.

Ch Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick urged parents and guardians to “talk to their young people about the impact of underage drinking and the danger of getting caught up in the moment.”

He also said young people should “stay away from the Holyland area” in south Belfast, explaining that it was a residential area and “not a party or nightlife destination”.

In previous years, there have been clashes with police and anti-social behavior in the area, which is home to many students, around St. Patrick’s Day.

“We are keen to ensure that all young people are aware of the risks associated with criminal and antisocial behaviour, for their safety and future educational and career prospects,” said Ch Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick.

He added that the warning was also “to protect local residents who feel particularly vulnerable” due to the day’s events.

In Londonderry, the city’s spring carnival festival takes place on Thursday, leaving Bishop Street at 3pm on its way to Strand Road.

The theme is one of rebirth and renewal, while other events, including traditional Irish music, will take place in Waterloo Place.

In Downpatrick, where Ireland’s saint is believed to have been buried next to the city’s cathedral, there will be a concert in St Patrick’s Square from noon, featuring singer Brian Kennedy.

The town parade leaves Ardglass Road at 1:30pm with a host of floats, community groups, sports clubs and a vintage car show.

The city of Armagh, where historians believe Saint Patrick established a church in AD 445. C., has plans for a community parade that will leave the Christian Brothers’ School at 2:30 p.m.

In Newry, a parade leaves The Albert Basin at 1pm.

Ch Insp Kirkpatrick has warned drivers attending St. Patrick’s Day events to leave their car at home if they intend to drink alcohol.

“We want everyone to have a nice, peaceful, crime-free day,” he said.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin also returns on Thursday after a break due to the pandemic.

Their parade leaves Parnell Road at noon and will cross the O’Connell Bridge on its way to its finish on Kevin Street.

A special St. Patrick’s Day video greeting from Ireland to the world, featuring Paul Brady’s iconic song The Island, has been released to mark Ireland’s solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Micheál Martin, is currently in Washington, but on Wednesday night he tested positive for Covid-19.

Northern Ireland ministers Conor Murphy and Gordon Lyons are also there, as is former deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood are also in Washington.

The program will include the traditional Northern Ireland Office breakfast on St Patrick’s Day.

Martin will no longer attend the traditional shamrock presentation with US President Joe Biden later in the Oval Office, but he can do so virtually.