Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been handed a letter today from various Buncrana groups calling for the necessary funding to reopen Swan Park.
Buncrana Tidy Towns Garden Chairperson Paddy McLaughlin took the opportunity to present the letter to the Taoiseach at today’s official opening of Cockhill Bridge.
The letter has been signed by signatories from Buncrana’s business, sporting and community organisations calling for €2.1 million to be provided from the upcoming Budget for the works.
Swan Park was destroyed in August 2017 during the flash flooding and lies in disrepair ever since. Some temporary works have been carried out this week to facilitate Crana Fest, but the Buncrana Tidy Towns, the Buncrana Chamber and other groups are calling for a full funding package to restore the park.
Buncrana Tidy Towns representatives: Paddy McLaughlin, Gerard Porter, and Willie McKinney
Speaking to Donegal Daily after giving the Taoiseach the letter, Mr Paddy McLaughlin said:
“We hope that they focus now on Swan Park and bring it back to its original state.
“I know that work is being done provisionally to accommodate the Canoeing Fest in October which is vital for the Buncrana economy. Hopefully we’ll bring it forward from there so the residents and visitors alike can start using it again.”
Despite many calls for the Taoiseach to see the state of the park for himself, Mr McLaughlin said it was not a major disappointment that Mr Varadkar did not visit during his time in Inishowen.
Mr McLaughlin said: “We appreciate he is busy, as long as the funding comes. At the end of the day he may get an opportunity to look himself before he goes back to Dublin, but regardless as long as we get the funding.
He added: “It is brilliant to have the Cockhill Bridge open again. It is really appreciated and we appreciated the Taoiseach coming here.”
The following groups have signed the Open letter to An Taoiseach –
Buncrana Chamber of Commerce
Buncrana Tidy Towns
Buncrana GAA
Buncrana Anglers
Insight Inishowen
The Amazing Grace Initiative
The Exchange
West Inishowen History & Heritage
Wild Inishowen