There have been fresh calls to cancel parades across the country.

Cork City Council has cancelled this year's St Patrick's Day parade amid fears around the spread of the Coronavirus. The decision comes this afternoon following pressure from multiple councillors and groups, who say that mass gatherings will only worsen the current health situation. A statement reads: "In the context of the evolving circumstances around Covid-19 virus, a meeting was held this morning between the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. John Sheehan and Chief Executive, Ann Doherty at which the holding of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in the city centre was discussed. "A risk assessment, based on World Health Organisation guidelines, was carried out by Cork City Council which concluded that based on the demographic of those attending the parade, the close proximity of people attending the event and the duration of the event (among other considerations), Cork City Council is not in a position to provide the necessary assurances in relation to current WHO Guidelines. "Both the Lord Mayor and CE agreed that the welfare of attendees and participants is the primary concern and so, the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive have made a decision to cancel this year’s parade." Sligo town announced this afternoon that they have also cancelled their parade. “The health and well-being of our community is our first priority," said Finbarr Filan chairperson of Sligo’s St Patrick’s Day committee "Having reviewed the guidelines from the HSE and the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19, the committee feel it is appropriate to cancel this years event." Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said today that she thinks the cancelation of the Dublin St Patrick's Day parade is "inevitable." “I’m very glad to hear the indication from the Six Nations that the matches are going to be postponed until the autumn time," she told Today with Sean O'Rourke. "It seems to me inevitable that the parade will be postponed. My personal view is that that is the responsible and necessary thing to do. "Not to create panic but on the contrary, to assurances to people that there is steady and determined leadership and that we are prepared to take the necessary actions to keep people safe. " The Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO) said last week that parades across the country should be cancelled due to the extra pressure that they will put on hospitals. General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the Dublin parade especially "would put too much strain on the public health service." "It’s not because of the coronavirus, it’s the general activity at mass gatherings," she told RTÉ Radio 1. "We should make that decision, it should be cancelled."