THE largest number of bonfires in Dublin for a number of years could be seen burning throughout the city last night. Fire service personnel were reported to be "extremely busy", although there were no reports of any fires being "out of control".
In Galway, gardai said that they were working "flat out investigating complaints from the public. However, there had been nothing serious to report in the city up to the early hours of this morning.
Gardai in Cork said that they were busy also. A number of egg throwing incidents were reported in the city earlier in the evening.
Ambulance services reported no serious incidents.
Aiden Roche, the nine year old Dublin boy who received severe injuries to his hand after picking up a firework on Wednesday, was released from the National Children's Hospital in Harcourt Street yesterday.
Casualty wards were on standby in cities throughout the Republic, but the Gallanstown area of Ballyfermot in Dublin, where rioting occurred at Hallowe'en last year, was reported by gardai to be "surprisingly quiet".
Garda checkpoints were placed on roads leading into the Gallanstown estate from early yesterday. Cars were searched and people passing through the area were told not to linger. The large Garda presence was intended to prevent a repeat of last year's riots. Local People blamed that trouble on "outsiders".
A children's parade organised by Cherry Orchard Development Youth (CODY) in Dublin attracted about 250 adults and children. The parade was led by gardai and finished at an organised bonfire which had been cordoned off with barriers. However, sparks from a nearby "unofficial" bonfire delayed the lighting of the parade bonfire.
A local woman, Ms Rose Gallagher, said that her daughter, Nuala, had been at the community centre since 8 a.m., finishing her costume. She was dressed as a peanut. Ms Gallagher pronounced the parade a big success. "It was great to see everyone coming to their doors and waving as we passed."
At the conclusion of the festivities the organisers called for three cheers for the gardai. The crowd responded by cheering enthusiastically.
The checkpoints on the Gallanstown estate were reinforced with earth filled barrels to prevent any attempt at ramming and the area was patrolled by gardai in unmarked cars and all terrain vehicles with riot grids down. Only local people were allowed to pass through the area.
"Hallowe'en is a licence to go berserk", one man said, "whether you are in Cherry Orchard or Castleknock."
