Belfast City Council against Sunday Halloween

Unionists on Belfast City Council hves voted not to celebrate Hallowe'en night this year because it falls on a Sunday, angering pagans and nationalists alike.

Up to 40,000 people are expected in nationalist-controlled Derry city for Halloween night celebrations this year.

However, firework celebrations will not take place in Belfast this year because it falls on a Sunday. who say Belfast will be the only city in the world not to celebrate on Halloween night.

Hardline unionist Ruth Patterson of the DUP defended the decision.

``I don't think the ratepayers would be pleased if this event was allowed to go ahead. It would have excluded those Protestants and Roman Catholics who aren't comfortable attending such events on a Sunday.

``Northern Ireland is a place with principles and standards and if this event had been allowed to take place on the Sabbath it would have been a grave mistake.''

Mrs Patterson dismissed nationalist claims that unionists were trying to re-introduce a previous council policy which led to the closure of leisure centres, public parks and other entertainment venues on Sundays.

``I think if we went back to good old-fashioned morals we wouldn't be going far wrong,'' she said.

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Maskey accused unionists of dragging the city back into the ``dark ages''.

``I think Belfast will look ridiculous if we are the only city in the world not celebrating one of the biggest family events of the year simply because it falls on a Sunday,'' he said.

SDLP councillor Margaret Walsh warned that the decision would make Belfast a ``laughing stock''.

``We have events like Titanic Week and others on a Sunday so I don't see why Halloween should be any different,'' she said.

The final decision on Halloween night celebrations will be made involving the full council at the start of next month.

Urgent Appeal