Northern Ireland

Fermanagh and Omagh council cancels Halloween fireworks due to cost of living crisis

Halloween fireworks in Enniskillen and Omagh have been cancelled
Halloween fireworks in Enniskillen and Omagh have been cancelled Halloween fireworks in Enniskillen and Omagh have been cancelled

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has canceled a Halloween fireworks event, saying financial pressure caused by the cost of living crisis has required it to "reprioritise its budgets".

The event had been due to take place in Enniskillen and Omagh on Monday but in a statement released this morning, the council said while its cancelation is disappointing, "it is reflective of the very challenging financial environment in which we are operating."

The statement said: "The council is aware of the challenges households face in the coming months and is ​undertaking a wider review of budgets and is working with its statutory partners, local support organisations, and charities to develop schemes to support ​residents in our district through the cost of living crisis."

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council statement in full

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Halloween Fireworks event, which was due to take place in Enniskillen and Omagh on Monday 31 October 2022, has been cancelled.

Given the scale of the immediate financial pressures on the Council, together with the wider cost of living crisis, the Council has been required to re-prioritise its budgets to ensure that it can meet its core financial obligations.

The Council is aware of the challenges households face in the coming months and is ​undertaking a wider review of budgets and is working with its statutory partners, local support organisations, and charities to develop schemes to support ​residents in our district through the cost of living crisis.

The Council recognises that the decision to cancel the Halloween Fireworks events is disappointing, but it is reflective of the very challenging financial environment in which we are operating.