‘We had to act decisively, particularly during the storm’

Some of Letterkenny Main Street’s iconic buildings were felled on Sunday following safety concerns over Storm Ashley.

The structures, dating back to 1865, once housed businesses such as Gerry’s Barbers, Funland amusement arcade and the Music Centre. In recent months, with the buildings in a state of disrepair, barriers were put in place to divert pedestrians around the buildings by the Market Square.

Donegal County Council, on Saturday, ahead of a status orange Severe Weather Warning for Wind, confirmed that part of the street would be closed the following day “in order to undertake necessary works in the interests of public health and safety.”

The junction of Rosemount Lane to Market Square was shut from 5am on Sunday Sunday, to 7am, Monday, with diversions in place from Rosemount Lane to Pearse Road, during the works.

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The Mayor of Letterkenny/MiIford Municipal District, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, said the time had come to remove the buildings from the town.

“They’re iconic buildings and they’ve been there for a long time,” he said. “But we had to act decisively, particularly during the storm on Sunday. They were a threat with the deterioration, so we had to protect the people and the businesses. We’re well-advanced in designing a €3million new Market Square and we have an iconic site.”

“Sad to see another piece of old Letterkenny come down but understandable as the building was unsafe,” Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter posted on Sunday.