A Dublin City Councillor is boycotting this year's St Patrick's Day Parade because it “doesn’t feel right” celebrating while children are dying in Gaza.
People Before Profit Councillor Hazel De Nortúin has handed back her tickets to the parade saying she is ‘making her own stand’ against the ongoing onslaught against Gaza.
Israel has been accused of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7th.
The number of Palestinians killed has reached more than 30,700, according to the Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza.
Meanwhile, aid agencies are warning that children are starving to death in the enclave, with the vast majority of the population on the brink of severe famine.
Cllr De Nortúin told Newstalk Breakfast celebrating doesn't feel appropriate.
"Usually I would attend annually, it's a privilege to get the tickets in the stands," she said.
"Considering the amount of time we're away from the home it's nice to spend the time with the family.
"This year... it just didn't feel appropriate.
"When you're hearing Palestinian mothers broadcasting on our national airwaves talking about their children starving to death - and we've been asking for our Government to do more, particularly around the St Patrick's Day."
Not for a second, would it feel right to celebrate (with the privilege that comes with being a Dublin City Councillor with stand tickets) while hearing first hand the devastation of genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/VUuRw7Z0Be
— Cllr Hazel De Nortúin (@HazelPBP) March 7, 2024
Cllr de Nortúin said her boycott is a personal choice.
"I thought for me that I just wouldn't feel right to be going out and celebrating, taking a day off from what's happening around the world," she said.
"I wanted to make my own stand to say it just didn't feel right for me to be going in to celebrate on St Patrick's Day.
"So, I just gave my tickets back to Dublin City Council on that premise".
'Small bit we can do'
Cllr de Nortúin said people should do whatever feels 'natural for them and their families'.
"I have been out campaigning with a lot of people... on the grounds of what's happening is horrific," she said.
"We've been asking our Government to not attend festivities in America for St Patrick's Day.
"The small bit that we can do on Dublin City Council, we don't have that much power, and that's the stand that I would like to make.
"It's a personal stand, it's not a reflection on people or the public who want to do what they want to do".
Cllr de Nortúin said all parties should be boycotting US visits this St Patrick's Day, not just the Taoiseach.
