Local upset in Ballyshannon after St Vincent de Paul closure due to safety fears

Volunteers from Ballyshannon who had previously worked for the local St Vincent de Paul have told Donegal Live of their anger and disappointment in the closure of the premises.

A statement provided by St Vincent de Paul said that the shop's closure was due to health and safety issues; however, Kathleen Slevin said that alternative solutions were available but rejected.

Charles McCurdy, the Northwest Regional Retail Manager for St Vincent de Paul, said: "It is with regret that we have decided to close Vincent's Ballyshannon. The closure was not taken lightly.

“Unfortunately, due to health and safety issues, we had no alternative. As a charitable organisation, SVP has a responsibility to ensure that all of its premises are safe and compliant.

"We wish to thank those who provided goods for resale and those customers who supported the shop.

"We also thank the staff, volunteers and CE workers who gave so willingly of their expertise and time.

"Importantly, SVP’s core services in Ballyshannon and the surrounding areas will continue without interruption. 

“Support for individuals and families in need, including visitation services, remains a priority, and assistance will continue to be provided to those who seek help in Ballyshannon."

Former volunteer, Kathleen Slevin felt more could have been done to keep a local shop presence with St Vincent de Paul in Ballyshannon. 

Kathleen said: “I don’t think they have given due consideration or consultation with anyone locally. No volunteers or representatives were given any say in the closure of the shop.

“It was a surprise that the permanent closure happened, but a temporary closure would not have been a surprise, given the nature of how the building was.”

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When asked what communication with St Vincent de Paul had, Kathleen responded: “Nothing! I would be disappointed, and there is a lot of anger in the local community as well. They have asked, ‘Why?’, ‘’Who made the decision?’, ‘Why was not an alternative not acted on?’, ‘Why was relocation not considered?’

“I said that I had no answer because the regional officer that I spoke to could not answer any of my questions. He said that the decision was out of his hands, even though it was his office that made the decision to close it. The only answer he gave me was health and safety.

“This is me making the wider public aware of the need for the local shop in the local area. It is about the need for the shop.”

Kathleen explained her view on how important the Ballyshannon St Vincent de Paul shop was for the local area. She commented: “I know that the wider St Vincent de Paul community have a local committee that provides visitation services to families where there is maybe a need for food, fuel, and clothing. We are told that it is still in place. 

“But the shop provides a service for people that needs social interaction. There is a very much, a need for micro-research. The local school jumpers or sweaters cost €60 or €70 a person. We would have provided good, used sweaters at maybe €10.”

Kathleen’s husband, Leo Slevin, said: “I think what is very important is that this shop has been open for 45 years in different locations. Some of the volunteers, I know some, one woman worked for 19 years. Various others would have had 10 to 15 years of service acting as volunteers for the community in the St Vincent de Paul shop. They are bitterly disappointed. 

“They are disappointed that all their work and care have been thrown out. As of today, none of the volunteers has been told that the shop has been permanently closed. It has just come from the media.” 

The couple said that the closed shop has been emptied.

“The important thing is that the merchandise that was donated by the people in Ballyshannon, where has that gone?” questioned Leo. “That is also a major question.”