A priest in Derry has called on the city council to scrap this year's Hallowe'en festival because he said it had become associated with under-age drinking to such an extent that it tarnished the city's image.
Fr Michael Canny, administrator of St Eugene's Cathedral, said it was time for the council, which organises the annual festival, to show "the civic leadership and responsibility which citizens expect".
The festival, Ireland's largest Hallowe'en street event, attracts more than 20,000 visitors to Derry each year, but Fr Canny said the downsides associated with it outweighed the benefits.
"This festival was started with the best of intentions but now the council finds itself a victim of its own success. The festival is quite simply a monster, and that monster must be put down, and the way to do that is to end it once and for all," he said.
"We all know the problems associated with alcohol. They are not just confined to Derry, they are a national problem. But the difference here is that ratepayers' money is being used to promote an event which, like it or not, causes serious social problems, and those problems are drink- related.
"If this festival was organised by a private company under licence, I am quite sure the council would withdraw the licence when you see the problems it creates. I am not a party-pooper nor are the people who agree with me. I want to stimulate an open debate on the issue."
The Mayor of Derry, Cllr Helen Quigley, said she could not agree with Fr Canny's call.
"This festival brings social and economic benefits to Derry and it is the largest such celebration in Ireland. We will continue to work to ensure that its core value of a family festival is retained," Cllr Quigley said. "We also provide alcohol-free zones, a family zone and a student zone."