Search
06 Sept 2025
Search
06 Sept 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
As hospitals come under severe pressure due to the fourth surge of COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Services are appealing for people in Derry to be safe this Halloween.
Dr Paul Baylis, Consultant in Emergency Care and Medicine with the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) was speaking ahead of the upcoming weekend Halloween celebrations where over 30,000 people are expected to descend on the city and district.
He said, “Halloween is traditionally an extremely busy time of the year for all the emergency services, particularly for Western Trust staff working at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
“This year with the challenges faced by health care workers across the Western Trust area we are urging the public to stay safe this Halloween so as to avoiding having to attend our Emergency Departments.
“If people are using fireworks as part of the Halloween festivities I would hope that they can enjoy them safely.
"Although fireworks can be entertaining and exciting, particularly for the younger members of our community, they can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury if not handled properly.
"It is important to remind people of how dangerous sparklers can be and that they are extremely hot for some time after the sparkler has gone out and can cause serious burns."
EXTRA VIGILANT
He continued, “This year the traditional Halloween celebrations in Derry are going ahead and it is important that everyone adheres to current COVID guidance.
"We hope everyone can enjoy this festival with their family and friends in a responsible way.
“We would also ask parents and adults to be extra vigilant and prevent underage alcohol or drug abuse to prevent any activities contributing to likely injury."
Concluding, Dr Paul Baylis said, “We hope that the festivities are enjoyable for all involved. Please wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and keep your distance from others.
"Stay safe and do all you can to prevent unnecessary admissions to our hospitals.
"Remember we are all in this together, Thank You.”
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
