Kildare parade committee responds to Palestinian group omission

“We have no issue with a local Palestinian community group participating in the parade, but we can’t have Kildare Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (KIPSC) participating as it is by every definition a politically active group,” said a spokesperson for the Newbridge St Patrick’s Day Parade committee.

The committee felt compelled to issue a statement in light of their unanimous (7-0) decision to not allow the KIPSC to participate in this year’s march.

The spokesperson said the committee's decision was influenced by a protest the group had carried out in Newbridge last November.

He said: “In light of this we couldn’t countenance the potential for this behaviour at the Newbridge St Patricks Day Parade 2025 in front of 3.000 children and 9,000 adults, to whom we have a duty of care.

“We had to gather our committee to discuss before responding.

“The organising committee takes all concerns seriously and wish to clarify the rationale behind our decision to ensure transparency:

“Firstly our Mission Statement defines our operational protocols for us, and we adhere to these protocols as they have served us well in our decision-making,” he said.

It reads: 'The Newbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a cherished community event that celebrates Irish heritage, culture, and unity.

'Our mission is to foster inclusivity, joy, and pride by showcasing the creativity and diversity of Newbridge and its surrounding areas.

'We are committed to maintaining a family-friendly, non-political environment where all attendees can enjoy a safe, welcoming, and tradition-rich celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

'The committee welcomes everyone to our parade but we do exclude political groups as a matter of policy.

'The Ukrainian participants were local Newbridge and County Kildare residents representing community-led initiatives, like schools and cultural associations.

'Their inclusion reflected solidarity with displaced families integrating into our town, not endorsement of geopolitical positions.'

The issue came to light with the Newbridge For All group issuing a statment on behalf of the KIPSC lamenting their omission although members did take part in the parade in Athy.

“The KPPSC group were excluded from participating in the Newbridge St Patrick's Day Parade on Monday on the grounds that their group was considered ‘political’, and this exclusion is deeply concerning. 

"The Newbridge Parade was a wonderful celebration of community, cultural diversity, and solidarity as demonstrated by the strong and justified welcome shown to the Ukrainian participants who took part on the day. 

"Solidarity with oppressed peoples is a human rights issue and simply cannot be categorized as ‘political’ in the same way as partisan political movements."