For the second time in five years, the Mullingar Agricultural Show, due to be held in Cullion on Saturday July 8 has had to be cancelled. The decision was taken on Wednesday night after committee members walked the grounds.

A disappointed show PRO, Paddy Donnelly, explained that with existing condition of parts of the grounds and the predicted forecast between now and Sunday, there was no prospect of holding the event.

"We must think of public safety and the support of our sponsors. We need to have a good crowd present to justify the very generous sponsorship we attract each year and if the public are put off by the weather, then the sponsors would be very disappointed," Mr Donnelly said.

However, he added that there is still a slight chance the event could be staged later in the year.

"The management committee will meet within the next week and a decision on whether to seek an alternative date will be taken. There would be so many factors to consider but I would not rule out a re-run later in the year," said Mr Donnelly.