Westport: Westport Town Council has refused permission to the Westport Against War group to participate in the St Patrick's Day parade in the town on Monday.
The decision was made by a town council sub-committee made up of elected councillors and the Town Clerk. The Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Ollie Gannon (FG) said St Patrick's Day was a day of celebration and not a day to be making a political statement.
Mr John Molloy, from Westport Against War, rejected the reasons given by Cllr Gannon. "We find it extraordinary and we are disappointed. All we are doing is campaigning for peace."
He also claimed that last year's parade had 'political groups' with a group opposing child soldiers while another group was opposed to fish farms on Clew Bay.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy (FF) said that while he respected the sub-committee's right to make a decision on the parade, he was in favour of the peace group taking part.