April 2004

Tourism chiefs blast 'blockade' Warning

It was reported that Fishermen in Greencastle would consider a blockade of the harbour if the Department of Marine did not provide money for dredging alleviate congestion.

However, it's been claimed that as a result many people who have intended to travel to Inishowen via the Magilligan-Greencastle ferry cancelled their trips fearing the the service would be disrupted by immediate action by fishermen.

Tony McLaughlin of Inishowen Tourism told the 'journal' that his office in Carndonagh dealt with a 'litany' of phone calls from people in Northern Ireland requesting information on any planned blockade by fishermen and the effect on the ferry service.

He said he was aware of a large number of potential visitors to Inishowen who cancelled their holiday visits because of false warning. Ferry operator, Jim McClenaghan was none too happy about the impact of the threat of a blockade on his business.

The announcement that a blockade was being "considered" by local fishermen was made on HIghland Raido's 8.30am news bulletin on Thursday on foot of an interview with local election candidate and Buncrana Town Councillor Padraig McLochlainn who met with Greencastle fishermen the previous evening. However, the Sinn Fein representative denied ever saying that a blockade was definitely to go ahead.

"At no stage did I say that there was going to be a blockade. What I did say is that members of the fishing community were considering blockade as an option. However, that would be an absolute last resort. If anyone misunderstood me that's their problem, but I challenge anyone to prove that I said a blockade was to go ahead" he said.

Following the initial news piece on Highland Radio, the station carried further news announcements stating that fishermen had not decided on a blockade.

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