Organiser of cancelled drive thru trick or treat voices frustration as copy cat events go ahead this weekend

(Above) Businessman Philip McKeown and his daughter Stella with some of the Halloween props that he bought for the drive through trick or treat that was scheduled to take place in Mullinga this weekend.

The Mullingar businessman who was forced to cancel Ireland’s first drive-through trick or treat following the introduction of Level 5 Covid restrictions has spoken of his surprise and frustration that a number of community groups in the midlands are running similar events this weekend.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Philip McKeown says that the cancellation of his sold-out Halloween event, which was scheduled to take place today and tomorrow at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, was the appropriate course of action once the government announced that the country was returning to lockdown for six weeks.

However, he says the fact that community groups are holding similar events this weekend is evidence that there is a “level of inequality” when it comes to the interpretation of Covid-19 guidelines.

“We cancelled at a large enough expense. A lot of money had been invested: advertising and signage and other bits and pieces that had to be advance purchased.

“The cancellation with the introduction of the Level 5 restrictions was the right thing to do. We recognise that. I guess where it differs from where we were in March and April when everyone was in it together, is that it really doesn’t feel like that any more. Some people seem to be getting the regulations to suit their own needs.”

Ballinahown Development Association and Offaly football club Gallen United have organised drive through trick or treat events this weekend for children living within five kilometres.

While praising the two organisations for doing something for their local communities at this difficult time, Mr McKeown says that it highlights the different interpretations of what is permitted under the guidelines.

“Perhaps the community groups feel that you can run an event once people are only travelling within the five kilometres, which is complete nonsense. We looked into the restrictions in great detail and it’s no non-essential travel. That’s why we made the call on our event.

“The equestrian centre is within 5k of the bulk of Mullingar. If you wanted to use that guideline, we could have run it, but the thing that made it prohibitive for us was the fact that it is no non-essential travel. In the spirit of those guidelines, we made the decision to cancel and I think it is the right decision.

“We are back in the situation where we are now perhaps because people didn’t stick to the rules and regulations when they should have. Our business has been so badly affected throughout the year on the back of this. As a family we have done everything above and beyond to stick to the regulations and we feel by extension it is the right thing to do when it comes to the business.

“People are tweaking rules and regulations to suit their business requirements and I can sympathise where they are coming from. It’s very difficult as a business owner, but I feel if we had gone ahead with our event we would either have been shut down by the guards or lambasted for allowing it to proceed.”

Before the pandemic Mr McKeown and his wife Niamh had a successful business organising U18 club nights across the midlands. With nightclubs set to be last to reopen, the couple have looked at different ways to keep their business going and in the summer organised drive-through movie events at venues across the region.

They are also planning a series of drive-through movie events in the run-up to Christmas in Mullingar and other towns in the region. Mr McKeon says that the events will be able to go ahead under Level 4 restrictions but not Level 5.

“We are keeping fingers, toes and everything else crossed that the numbers keep going in the right direction,” he said.