‘The mess on Buncrana Main Street was clearly unacceptable’ - says Murray

The Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative has warned that the shocking mess being left on the streets in Buncrana overnight could irreparably damage the town’s reputation.

Unprecedented levels of rubbish, including broken glass, bottles, plastic pint glasses, empty pizza boxes and chip bags, were thrown on Buncrana Main Street following the busy bank holiday weekend.

Decorative flowers were uprooted in the Market Square, while the town resembled the aftermath of a rock music concert, such was the volume of discarded bottles and glasses.

A Tidy Towns video, which was posted online and watched by thousands of viewers, outlines the shocking amount of rubbish dumped along the road and footpaths.

There’s also been major concern around a downgrade in the frequency of the Council’s street-cleaning service for Buncrana, which is one of the country’s strongest performers in the annual Tidy Towns contest.

Cllr Fionán Bradley has called on Donegal County Council to commit to maintaining the street sweeping service in Buncrana town at the level it’s currently at.

“At the moment, the street sweeper services the town three days per week. This includes removing loose rubbish off the footpath and the road on the Main Street,” he explained.

“Buncrana is the biggest town in Inishowen; it’s the jewel in Inishowen’s crown, as well as the economic and commercial heart of the peninsula. It's essential that no services are downgraded within the town, particularly given the fact that we no longer have a Town Council.”

Fianna Fail Cllr Bradley said Buncrana is “on the cusp” of winning a national Tidy Towns title, but any hopes of an historic overall win will almost certainly be dashed if the situation continues.

“This is coming up to the busiest time of the year for our tourism sector, when people come from far and wide to visit the town. It's also the period when the Tidy Towns competition is being judged.”

“Buncrana has won a record 10 consecutive gold medals, is the tidiest town in Donegal and is only 4 points behind the national winner. We are on the cusp of winning the national title and I don't want anything to jeopardise that.”

“To that end, I am calling on the Council to ensure the service is maintained and that they continue to engage with the local Tidy Towns Committee and the businesses, as they always have done to ensure Buncrana remains the gem that it is.”

Meanwhile Sinn Fein County Councillor Jack Murray has slammed the “clearly unacceptable” mess being caused.

“The mess on Buncrana Main Street over the weekend was clearly unacceptable and has caused great concern to local rate-payers, the local community and Tidy Towns volunteers in particular.”

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Cllr Murray said Councillors, Council roads staff and the Tidy Towns have been meeting for some time to try to find a solution which keeps Buncrana looking its best.

“The Tidy Towns volunteers are fantastic. They take serious pride in their town and have Buncrana looking immaculate. They repeatedly deliver gold medals and are on the verge of winning a national title. They deserve every support that they can get, and I, and other Councillors, are committed to getting that for them,” he pledged.

Cllr Murray added: “We will find a solution so that this doesn't happen again. We have to. Our rate-payers, our community deserves that.”