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Derry fails in 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh bid Dissident bombs blamed for collapse of Derry fleadh 2013 bid
(40 minutes later)
An Irish traditional music body has said it turned down Londonderry's bid to host the All-Ireland Fleadh next year because of the threat posed by dissident republicans. Dissident republican violence has put paid to plans for the first all-Ireland fleadh to be staged in Derry, an Irish traditional music body has claimed.
Comhaltas said it was impossible to support the application because safety was paramount. Comhaltas said it was impossible to support the city's bid to host the popular music and dance festival because of the danger.
It followed a vote by members of its Ulster Council. The href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-16426203" >fleadh would have been staged in Derry's year as UK City of Culture.
The organisers behind the UK City of Culture had been pushing to bring the fleadh north for the first time. But the UK link to the traditional Irish event had already proved a stumbling block with some members.
The Ulster Council said it was with "deep regret and long consideration" that it had turned down the bid. There was severe disruption in the city last week after dissident republicans left two bombs that exploded.
Last week, a meeting of Derry Comhaltas delegates on Wednesday night was 13-1 in favour of the bid. The UK City of Culture organisers had been pushing to bring the fleadh to Northern Ireland for the first time ever in 2013.
Some Comhaltas members, who initially opposed the move because of the UK link in Derry's City of Culture 2013 title, did not attend. Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world. At a meeting of Derry Comhaltas last Wednesday, members voted was 13-1 in favour of the bid.
The bid then went to the Comhaltas Ulster Council to be ratified. Some comhaltas members, who initially opposed the move because of the UK link in Derry's City of Culture 2013 title, did not attend. The bid then went to the Comhaltas Ulster Council to be ratified.
The fleadh attracts 250,000 people. It said that with "deep regret and long consideration", it was turning down the bid because safety was paramount.
The chairman of the Derry County Board, Brendan Molloy says he's shocked by the decision. Chairman of the Derry County Board, Brendan Molloy said no members of the local branches attended that meeting and he was shocked when he heard the decision.
He confirmed no members of the local branches attended the meeting, "I got a text on my phone to say sorry the bid didn't go through this time. "I got a text on my phone to say: 'Sorry the bid didn't go through this time', " he said.
"A statement was emailed to me from a Comhaltas employee. It did not come from a member of the Ulster Council."A statement was emailed to me from a Comhaltas employee. It did not come from a member of the Ulster Council.
"Up until a few days ago we were going to go to that meeting and had requested could the branch come to put the bid forward. "Up until a few days ago we were going to go to that meeting and we had requested that the branch come to put the bid forward. We were told that was not necessary.
"We were told that was not necessary. "I am shocked, totally and utterly."
"I am shocked, totally and utterly shocked." Director general of Comhaltas Labhras O Murchu said he was surprised by the decision.
The director general of Comhaltas Labhras O Murchu said there are questions over the validity of the decision to reject Derry's bid to host the event.
He said he was surprised by the decision.
"At a previous meeting of the full Ulster Council a unanimous decision was made to support the Derry bid."At a previous meeting of the full Ulster Council a unanimous decision was made to support the Derry bid.
"Yesterday was not a full meeting. The seven people who met yesterday voted to overturn what the Ulster Council had already decided."Yesterday was not a full meeting. The seven people who met yesterday voted to overturn what the Ulster Council had already decided.
"Is that valid itself? We're covered by a constitution and all units of Comhaltas must adhere to the rule." he said. "Is that valid itself? We're covered by a constitution and all units of Comhaltas must adhere to the rule," he said.
Appeal decisionAppeal decision
The Derry County Board of Comhaltas said they would appeal. The chair of the Derry City branch , Eibhlin Ni Doherty, who backed the bid, said they'd been badly let down. The Derry County Board of Comhaltas said they would appeal. Chair of the Derry City branch , Eibhlin ni Doherty, who backed the bid, said they had been badly let down.
"They should have been supportive of a branch within their province."They should have been supportive of a branch within their province.
"They should have worked with us and listened to us when we have been working so hard all along. "They should have worked with us and listened to us when we have been working so hard all along," she said.
Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said she didn't accept the reason given by the Ulster Council that its decision was based on security concerns. Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said she did not accept the Ulster Council's decision was based on security concerns.
"I think the reasons have been aired in relation to the year that is in it because it is the year of the City of Culture. Those are some reasons, but there are other people who have genuine concerns." "I think the reasons have been aired in relation to the year that is in it - because it is the year of the City of Culture. Those are some reasons, but there are other people who have genuine concerns."
Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world.
Two bombs exploded in the city on Thursday, causing severe disruption.