Street in Edenderry chosen for Offaly's first rainbow crossing

JKL Street in Edenderry has been selected as the location for the first rainbow crossing in Offaly.

Cllr Mark Hackett said he wan’t sure where precisely on the street the crossing will be. However, he said:“I've been told it'll be rainbow stripes parallel to the zebra crossing."

The Green Party councillor explained that either side of the zebra crossing there will be a stripe going across the road with rainbow colours.

Cllr Hackett said that the council have not give him an exact date as to when the rainbow crossing will be painted as they are waiting for the council's line painters to be available.

Cllr Hackett said: “I don't think it'll be overly invasive or noticeable but you'll notice it if you walk across the road obviously. I'd like to reiterate this is purely symbolic as a show of solidarity with the LGBT+ community.”

Cllr Mark Hackett raised the motion to introduce a rainbow crossing in Offaly at a recent monthly meeting of Offaly County Council in recognition of the marginalised position of the LGBT+ community.

Despite a number of councillors voicing their misgivings the motion was passed without a countermotion by other members.

Cllr Hackett said that it was “a sympathetic gesture designed to raise awareness of the need of inclusivity. There are many recent examples of this around the country, including in a number of cities, Waterford being the latest.”