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Donegal counts cost of storm
damage 06.01.14
DONEGAL is counting the
cost of storm damage as severe weather washed away
coastal roads and popular local amenities over the
weekend.
And, the Irish Coast Guard has advised members of
the public to avoid exposed coasts, cliffs, piers
and beaches during treacherous conditions.
Councillors and local representatives are being
inundated with calls from the public about the
damage to their local communities around the county
and peninsula. |
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Severe storms flood Moville Pier at
the Fid monument. Photo: Anthony Doogan. |
Buncrana, Moville and
Greencastle were among areas bearing the brunt of
the damage with many seaside walkways, shore paths
and car parks destroyed in high waves.
Large stretches of the shore path from Moville to
Greencastle look as though they were struck by an
earthquake with concrete paths ripped up. Bathing
boxes dating back to the late 19th century were also
extensively damaged. The tarmac upper car park at
Lisfannon was washed away and has been cordoned off.
Donegal County Council is now facing huge demands
from all over the county for both financial and
personnel resources to fix the damage.
Inishowen Fianna Fail local election candidate Mary
McCauley described as "significant" the storm damage
done to the Moville and Greencastle shorefront walks
"As a director of NE Inishowen Tourist Co., whose
FAS Community Employment Schemes have worked for
over 20 years in association with Donegal County
Council to maintain the walks, I can assure the
local community that we will do our utmost to assist
in any repair and upgrade works that are necessary.
"The scale of the damage is substantial and will
require an enormous amount of Government capital
injection," said Ms McCauley.
"I strongly urge councillors, TDs, council officials
and community leaders to come together to ensure
that these popular and invaluable local amenities
are restored and fully operational as soon as
possible. This has to be the number one priority for
this area."
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny expects the Cabinet
to be briefed on the extent of the damage caused by
last week's flooding. There have also been calls for
a central Government fund to help with the costs of
damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
To view more images click here . |
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