Halloween - Bonfires and Bangers Galore

Collection tyres for bomb fires (Martin Murphy/The Epoch Times)

Where once Halloween in Ireland was an eagerly anticipated event with the thrill of dressing up to trick or treat, with the special high tea with the barnbrack and the harmless sparklers to light up, it has become for some people an event to dread.

Garda Sergeant Alan Roughneen told The Epoch Times: “Each year many children and youths suffer terrible injuries caused by fireworks including burns to the limbs and serious eye injuries. Apart from the risk of injury, fireworks can also cause great distress to elderly people.

They set off intruder alarms causing unnecessary extra demands on Garda resources, while pets and animals in general are also subject to great stress at this time of the year.”

Orla Aungier of Dublin SPCA said “The SPCA urges vigilance and caution around fireworks as it’s a very distressing time for animals. In the weeks approaching Halloween fireworks will become more widely available to youths all over Ireland. There is a large illegal market in providing fireworks to minors in this country. As well as intentional injuries caused to animals by the criminally-minded.

“Accidents can also happen, as in the case last week where a dog chased after a firecracker which was thrown by children. The dog had to undergo surgery for injuries to its mouth.”

Halloween originated from the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain (Irish word meaning the end of summer) a time when Celts believed that dead spirits would re-enter the mortal world, and huge bonfires were lit to deter any evil spirits. Incidentally, the Chinese, who are the largest manufacturers and exporters of fireworks, originally manufactured fireworks as a result of their invention of gunpowder: Fireworks were also developed to ward off evil spirits.

Garda Roughneen from the Garda press office said he would appeal to parents and guardians of young people to be responsible in ensuring that their children do not cause injury to themselves or others on Halloween night and in the run up to it, and to be particularly mindful of the welfare of the elderly in their communities.

Spokesperson at Garda press office Garda Connaughton said, “People should remember that fireworks are illegal and that the Gardai are already in the process of confiscating them in large numbers when they come across youths while out on patrol.”