Health sector crisis a feature in Letterkenny

Donegal: The crisis in the health sector was highlighted at the parade in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, where members of the Letterkenny…

Donegal:The crisis in the health sector was highlighted at the parade in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, where members of the Letterkenny hospitals social club had a float with the patron saint waiting to get a hospital bed.

The theme of the float was "barmy, bedless, bedlam" and depicted St Patrick waiting for a hospital bed since AD432. The float also included hospital staff entering a lotto competition to win the last available bed.

The "Bertie Bowl" became a painted toilet, and some noisy mock "operations" were being performed on willing volunteers stretched out on the float. Their efforts won the best topical float award.

Despite the overcast conditions an estimated 12,000 people attended the parade. It was one of the biggest on record, and included numerous community groups and young children.

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Reflecting the changing times, one of the biggest welcomes was given to the colourful and noisy Letterkenny non-national association, whose banner read "Thanks to our host community".

There were several floats with a sporting theme, including Letterkenny Swifts FC who claimed they had signed David Beckham who was accompanied by "Posh gone wrong."

There was much amusement when one of the vintage cars briefly broke down and had to receive a push from the Letterkenny rugby club's under-age players.

Large crowds also turned out for parades elsewhere in the county, notably in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Donegal town.