Laois Cathaoirleach turns down New York St Patrick's Day trip
Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy tells Leinster Express why he staying home
The Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council has passed on the chance to lead the Laois contingent in the New York St Patrick's Day parade of 2024.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy as Cathaoirleach for the first time, had been invited to march in the iconic parade, along with Laois County Council officials.
He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why he has turned it down in favour of staying home.
"I have other family commitments at the same time. I simply can't go. I'm not a big traveller," he said.
Last Monday at the council meeting, Cllr Ashling Moran suggested Laois go somewhere else this year, to "make a stand" on Israel and Palestine.
Cllr McEvoy said that is not his reason.
"Laois County Council is aware of my decision. It just didn't come up at the meeting," he said.
He believes that the trip to New York, which happens usually every year for the parade, is a useful one for Laois.
"It is necessary to go. We had the association here for a week last year, and they did a lot of networking. The cost of going is very minimal. Just one member of management goes with the Cathaoirleach. They don't bring any family, or if they do, they pay their own way. It's no big expense. It's less than €5,000," he said.
In his stead, Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Padraig Fleming will be taking the trip, which he has done before as Cathaoirleach.
"He is a great ambassador. He's been there before, he knows the drill," Cllr McEvoy said.