This is the first year that flags will not be allowed at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Strabane.
Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) have confirmed that the Irish flag will not be included in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Strabane this year.
According to BBC News, the decision was taken by the council in the interests of staging a cross-community, family-focused celebration and that the plans were approved by the council’s Business and Culture committee.
A DCSDC spokesperson told BBC News that the council was delighted to “support the extension of the St Patrick’s Day Carnival festivities in Strabane” and that “flags and emblems will not be included in the official parade which is planned for the enjoyment of everyone”.
“Council is committed to promoting inclusion and integration within and between communities in all its activities, events and programmes,” the spokesperson added.
In light of the decision, local reports suggest that Sinn Féin will demand that the tricolour is allowed to fly at the parade in Strabane and that a proposal will be put forward at a council meeting on Monday.
Sinn Fein has said it will seek the reversal of a decision taken by Derry & Strabane Council officers to ban the Irish tricolour from the St Patrick’s Day parade in Strabane. SF intends to put it's proposal to a council meeting on Monday.
— Ryan McAleer (@RyanMcAleerbiz) February 1, 2018
@sinnfeinireland is to lodge a motion with @dcsdcouncil demanding that the tricolour be allowed to fly at this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Strabane. The move will require a rewriting of official council policy.
— Conor Sharkey (@ConorSharkeySC) February 1, 2018
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