‘It’s not acceptable’: Calls for replacement of torn Irish flag at Cork bus station
A frayed and discoloured national tricolour flag is currently flying at the Bus Station at Parnell Place, Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins
A “ragged and torn” Irish flag is still flying on the roof of Cork’s Parnell Place bus station, more than four months after Bus Éireann said it would be replaced “as soon as possible”.
In a story not unlike the familiar tales of long waits for buses in the city, Cork man Tony McCarthy contacted after being given assurances in May that a replacement flag would be arranged.
The orange and white sections of the flag are now badly ripped as it flies between two Bus Éireann flags, both of which appear to be in good condition.
A Bus Éireann spokesperson said: “We are aware of the condition of the Irish flag at Parnell Place, and arrangements are in place for it to be replaced with a new one at the earliest opportunity.”
On May 8, the company told Mr McCarthy, who had reported the flag's condition that week: “We have brought this to the attention of our Property and Facilities Manager and she will arrange to have the flag replaced as soon as possible.”
Mr McCarthy said he first reported the condition of the flag around a year ago, after which it was replaced with what he described as a “very inferior quality flag, one you’d buy in a pound shop for two or three euro”.
He contacted Bus Éireann again in May about the condition of the replacement and has since written twice to follow up on the lack of progress.
He also provided details of where he believed a better-quality flag could be sourced but said he has not received a response to his follow-up letters.
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Mr McCarthy said the condition of the flag was particularly disappointing given the role Parnell Place plays in welcoming visitors to Cork.
“In many cases, the bus station is the main point of entry into our city for tourists and visitors, and it’s not nice to see our flag in a disgraceful ragged and torn condition,” he said.
“It’s not acceptable, they have a duty of care with our national flag to have it in good and proper condition, but unfortunately my letters seem to have fallen on deaf ears,” he added.
Government guidelines on the display of the National Flag state: “When the National Flag has become worn or frayed it is no longer fit for display and should not be used in any manner implying disrespect.”
There are no statutory requirements governing the display of the National Flag, and observance of the guidelines is a matter for each individual.
Mr McCarthy said the condition of the flag created a poor impression of the city.
“The flag being in shreds at the bus station gives out a very negative image.
“I’m so disappointed in the people there and their sense of pride in their own nation’s flag.”
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