A rumpus is set to flare up in Mayo over a proposal by Dunnes Stores to open their two branches in the county on St. Patrick's Day.

The move could cause major disruption for the organisers of the St. Patrick Day parades in Castlebar and Ballina.

Officers involved in planning the parade in both towns are reluctant to make statements on the issue until an official announcement comes from Dunnes Stores.

The matter was first raised by Senator Paddy Burke at a meeting of Castlebar Urban Council.

He said he was told by a reliable source that Dunnes Stores were considering opening throughout the country on Monday, March 17th.

Senator Burke outlined there had already been strong opposition to Sunday trading in Castlebar, and he could not see how opening on St. Patrick's Day would be acceptable to the business sector.

He believed the plan would cause uproar in towns and villages all over the country. Said Senator Burke: "As yet, confirmation has not been obtained from Dunnes regarding the matter. But they should be put on notice that it won't be tolerated."

However, there is a certain level of support for the Dunnes Stores proposal. Their decision to open would attract bigger numbers to the major towns with the prospect of shoppers staying on to watch the annual parade.