The Government has announced that an exclusion zone will be put in place around the midland county of Westmeath tonight.
In a surprise announcement, the Irish Government has announced that an exclusion zone will be put in place around the county of Westmeath. The exclusion zone and other additional measures will become effective from midnight tonight.
Wide-scale traffic and travel disruptions are expected, and local authorities and Gardaí have prepared emergency contingency plans to come into place as soon as the exclusion zone is in force.
Speaking to the Press
Charles D Regan of the Department for Arts and Culture spoke to the press at today’s announcement.
“For years now we have been aware of the spread of Culchieism which seemed to originate from the Midlands. However, recent scientific research has narrowed down the source of the outbreak to Westmeath.”
“We, as a government, have an obligation to protect the rest of the country and it’s people from the spread of this disease.” He said.
Research
Our research into this new strain of Culchieism has found that the county which gave us Joe Dolan, and one half of Foster and Allen is definitely the probable, likely source of Culchieism, and therefore we need to take immediate action to avoid the plague affecting the rest of the country. Particularly Dublin.”
A Rat’s Arse
“We tried everything from asking them nicely to slagging the buggers off. We even asked them to self-isolate but to be honest, your typical Culchie is just too thick to take any sort of a hint.”
“So in fairness, we were left with no option but a great big fecking exclusion zone. So that’s it from midnight tonight Westmeath will be sewn up tighter than a rat’s arse.” The government spokesperson said, then added, “Serves them right so it does.”
Local Opposition
As expected, there has been concentrated local opposition to the exclusion zone plans. Westmeath County Council called an emergency meeting of its three-county councillors, which had to be cancelled as only one of them turned up.
It is believed that Councillor Jimmy Murphy stayed at home to watch re-runs of the ploughing championships on the video yoke and that the mayor of Mullingar was busy making the ham sandwiches for the county finals due to be held in three weeks.
However, it is believed that four or five lads did hold a protest march for a few minutes in the car park of the Brazen Hussy Pub before going for one or two pints.
Concerning the protest march Mayor Hagan commented, “It was by the grace of God that nobody got themselves injured in the crowd, but fair-play to the lads. I’d have loved to have been there standing shoulder to shoulder with them, but the making of the ham sandwiches for the county finals always takes priority here in Westmeath so it does. Anyway I’ll be buying them a glass of Lucozade later on below in the Brazen Hussy, so I will,” the mayor concluded.
The Zone
The zone itself will consist of a series of roundabouts and diversion signs being placed on all roads leading towards the county borders. The plan, in fact, is quite cunning and based on the thesis that Westmeath lads get confused easily.
Brigadier General Norman O’Shea who is charged with implementing the exclusion zone said.
“We were thinking of barbed wire, tanks and landmines and all that sort of stuff,” he said. “But one of the lads remarked that Culchies aren’t all that bright when it comes to reading maps and things and we have confiscated the one Sat-Nav that belonged to a Mullingar teacher.”
“So we reckon if we put in a few roundabouts and diversion signs on all the roads, we’ll have the Culchies driving around in circles for weeks without getting anywhere. As there aren’t any trains or buses to Westmeath the plan should work well enough,” the General explained.
MeanwhileinIreland advice: if you have been to Westmeath or have come in contact with any Culchies recently — well then, you’re fecked so you are, and our prayers are with you.