Wicklow councillor slams ‘disturbing threats’ that led to postponement of Pride disco

Newly elected Wicklow councillor Danny Alvey has slammed the “deeply disturbing threats” made to Wicklow Pride committee members that led to the postponement of a teenage ‘Rainbow Disco’.

Earlier this week, the Wicklow Pride committee opted to postpone an LGBTQ+ & Ally Disco for teenagers aged 13-16 due to safety concerns after they received “threats of protests”.

One of several events planned in the lead up to the Wicklow Pride Parade (July 6), the “unacceptable” treatment of committee members – who will press ahead with their other festivities – prompted an outpouring of support for them, with equal measures of disdain for those responsible.

Appalled by the shocking actions and accusations, Cllr Alvey, a Newtownmountkennedy resident, said he was extremely concerned about “far-right elements” in the town.

“As a councillor for the area, I am very concerned by the news that Wicklow Pride have reluctantly decided to cancel this eagerly anticipated event on safety grounds,” Cllr Alvey said.

“This follows threats made by a small number of individuals who are not representative of the wider Newtownmountkennedy community.

“The disco at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre was planned for this Sunday, but has now been postponed after warnings it could be met with a protest.

“I was appalled to hear that Wicklow Pride committee members were subjected to disgusting, malicious accusations by some of those opposed to the event.

“Despite the cancellation of this weekend’s teenage disco, I will be proudly marching in this year’s Wicklow Pride parade on July 6 as an ally of our LGBTQ+ community.”

“Recent protests in Newtownmountkennedy over accommodation for asylum seekers shows that far-right elements are intent on infiltrating those groups to spread further hate and division in this community,” he added.

“Their behaviour must be called out at every opportunity by the vast majority of ordinary, decent residents of the area.”

Equally outraged by the actions that led to the disco’s postponement, Taoiseach Simon Harris echoed Cllr Alvey’s sentiments, saying it was “not the Wicklow or the community I know”.

“I find it highly regrettable that that has happened, and how individual organisers were intimated,” Mr Harris said.

“I think it’s totally unacceptable that this has happened. It’s not on. I’m really saddened quite frankly.

“I think Pride has been such a great moment of celebration of inclusion and diversity in Ireland, but also a moment of challenge in that we must do more, we must do better and that our journey isn’t finished.

“I find it highly regrettable that that has happened, particularly some of what I read in relation to how individual organisers were perhaps intimidations or targeted in some way.”

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