By Catherine McGinty
catherine@inishtimes.com
Buncrana locals have condemned Bank Holiday revellers - some believed to be from Derry - who 'trashed' the pier on Monday, leaving it awash with bottles, cans and plastic cups.
The Derry News' sister paper, The Inish Times, was inundated with complaints regarding the 'disgraceful' behaviour at Buncrana Pier on Monday.
The town's former mayor Nicholas Crossan said he understood two busloads of people from the North were responsible.
The independent councillor said: "We had a similar incident in Buncrana on a Good Friday a couple of years back. Ever since then the Garda have been on
high alert to prevent such behaviour.
“On street or public drinking is illegal in the Buncrana urban area, which extends from Lisfannon, to Ned’s Point and includes the pier. The Garda have the power to confiscate alcohol, however, such is the power of social media nowadays it is possible for people to tip off their friends if the Garda are in a particular area.
“I love to see visitors, families coming to Buncrana. I love Buncrana, there is nowhere nicer, especially in this beautiful weather. However, we do not want hundreds of youths gathering on the
pier, drinking and possibly taking drugs. It simply will not be tolerated.
“There were bottles, cans, chip paper, abandoned barbecues and all sorts of other rubbish left at the shore on Monday. Smashed bottles can be extremely dangerous for anyone walking on the beach in bare feet.
"There are 64 bins in the Buncrana area but, on a good day, if the bins were full, I would encourage visitors to take their rubbish home and dispose of it responsibly. We also have bottle banks. There is just no excuse for litter to be left strewn around Buncrana.
"Our beaches are immaculate every morning thanks to the tremendous efforts of the workers and volunteers from Donegal County Council and Buncrana Tidy Towns.
“Another concern I would have would be people who are drinking acting with bravado around the water.
"People need to take responsibility for their own safety too. We do not want to see services such as the Red Cross or the RNLI stretched. That would be very unfair."
One of the organisations tasked with cleaning up Monday’s mess was the Buncrana Tidy Towns organisation. Sinéad Ní Bhroin, a spokesperson for the group said it was “beyond disappointing” to see Buncrana Pier treated this way.
She commented: “Our shorefront is a vital public amenity that Tidy Towns volunteers and the Council work hard to maintain.
“Like every town in Ireland we have to guard against anti-social behaviour and that requires a joint effort by local community groups, elected representatives, and An Garda Síochána.
“There is more than enough legislation in place to protect any section of the town becoming a place for unruly gatherings, drinking or worse.
“For our part Buncrana Tidy Towns will work with all stakeholders to ensure Buncrana continues to be an inviting family friendly community for locals and visitors alike."
The continuing good weather and a Bank Holiday in the North brought thousands of visitors and a welcome economic boost to Inishowen.
Such was the influx there were reports of ATM machines in Carndonagh running out of cash over the weekend.
One local coach company also had to deploy its entire fleet, with one full bus ferrying visitors home every 15 minutes.
However, not all of the visitors were as welcome.
One local said he was “appalled” at the state of the pier, adding: “I cannot believe the disrespect of the youths leaving beer bottles, cans and plastic cups behind them as they left.
“They cared very little for the pier and the Swilly, as the bottles and cans had made their way into it too.
“This looks bad for the whole Buncrana town and community and will have to be cleaned up by people who did not make this mess.
“It is an absolute disgrace and should be stopped from happening again. It is a shame people cannot go out and have fun without this kind of carry on."
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