Rape‑crisis organisations in Ireland have denounced a St Patrick’s Day float that staged a mock sexual assault and displayed placards reading “Epstein files”.
Rape Crisis Ireland described the exhibit as “public grooming” that normalised sexual violence, while elected officials called it a disgrace.
The trailer, towed by a tractor, showed people in wigs chasing a female figure who screamed and was forced onto a mattress. Irish flags and bunting, a makeshift cage and a sign stating “Prince Andrew going to jail” were also present. One placard misspelled the name of the deceased child‑sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as “Epstien”.
The float took part in several parades in western Ireland on Tuesday, when the nation marked its patron saint. It travelled through Headford in County Galway and through Kilmaine, Shrule and Ballinrobe in County Mayo.
Organisers later issued an apology, saying they had not been aware of the float beforehand and that it was offensive. After the display was spotted, the Ballinrobe organisers cancelled a planned second circuit of the town.
Clíona Saidléar, executive director of Rape Crisis Ireland, said it was shocking that anyone would reenact sexual violence against women for entertainment. “This is a terrible lapse in judgment that reflects the ongoing minimisation of sexual violence and a misogynistic culture that enables it,” she said.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre warned that the display conveyed a damaging message to society, treating sexual violence as a joke.
“The float further demonstrates a lack of understanding of the impact of sexual violence and the trauma it inflicts,” said chief executive Rachel Morrogh. “Parading acts of sexual violence through our main streets and turning rape and assault into a punchline trivialises and stigmatises the experiences of victims and survivors.”
Many survivors do not report abuse because they fear they will not be believed, Morrogh added: “This float and the message it sends reinforce those fears.”
Local councillors echoed the criticism. The Ballinrobe St Patrick’s Day parade committee said the float did not reflect its values. “Floats arrive on the day and often mirror current topics,” the statement read. “There is no entry, registration or vetting process because the event is informal and community‑led.”
The committee said it would review its procedures to ensure future celebrations are respectful, inclusive and suitable for families.
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