Press Release

Hallowe’en Carnival Celebrations a Success

01st November 2006

Derry City Council has acknowledged the support of its partner agencies and the general public for making the Hallowe’en celebrations 2006 a success. Commenting on the event organisation, Gerald McColgan from Derry City Council said:

“This year Derry City Council deliberately focused on an event that appealed to families by providing a safe and friendly environment for everyone who attended. This is successful and we were encouraged by the positive public response to the festivities and the continued value the festival holds for the city”.

The Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival continues to attract between 20,000 – 25,000 revellers in to the city centre to enjoy the free family entertainment and fireworks display. City centre businesses and hotels continue to show a positive benefit and support for the event. Catherine O’Connor, Manager with Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau said:

“At almost 100% occupancy the Hallowe’en Carnival continues to bring benefits to the City and its important role in extending the tourism season. Festivals play an important role in tourism and the Hallowe’en festival sets the standards for bringing in visitors and generating business”.

The Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau also remarked how the busy period for the city will continue this week with the commencement of the Irish Language Festival, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, which has also brought a positive level of business for the city.

Early indicators from the PSNI and Altnagelvin Hospital already show that expected levels of admissions and incidents are reduced compared to previous years. The Police have reported, at this stage, only three assaults along with twenty-one arrests for general minor disorder. This is lower than previous years. Altnagelvin Hospital also recorded over 30 people attending the hospital and reported experiences of a quieter night than previous years.

Mayor Cllr Helen Quigley welcomed this development saying it was a continuing decreasing trend that could be built upon.

“The continued positive interagency work is beginning to pay dividends and I am confident this collective approach will make a difference and encourage a change in attitude towards alcohol. There is no role for complacency in this matter and through recognising that alcohol misuse is an important matter for society to address, we can collectively bring a strong and united approach and deal with these matter effectively to bring positive change in this area. The city has much to be proud of, and the interagency support and approach to this matter is exemplary”.

The Mayor has pledged to continue the work of the Forum of Alcohol and Violence and the interagency projects that are underway to address the issue of misuse of alcohol in our City.

Derry City Council and the interagency planning team welcomes public comment on the event and suggestions for improvement and these can be provided through www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween . The Hallowe’en photo gallery is also being updated later today to record the many costumed revellers who took part.

Many thanks from Derry City Council and the Interagency Team that assisted with the planning and organisation of this festival, as well as the contributors who helped make it a success.

Ends

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