Posted online: Sep 20th, 2011

The ferry linking Greencastle and Magilligan is to be suspended after nine years, it has emerged.
On Thursday last, the Lough Foyle Ferry Company announced service, a success with both tourists and commuters, would operating from October 2 next due to “lack of funds.”

Speaking to the Inish Times, Cllr Mickey Doherty said it “should never have come to this.”

He said: “The news didn’t shock me, for I understand the Lough Foyle Ferry Company’s lack of resources, particularly in today’s economic climate.

“But it happened so suddenly, and much sooner than I had expected. A compromise, say, fewer sailings, could have been reached, rather than just acceptance that the service would have to cease.

“I really wish a decision like this hadn’t been left so late. For the last two weeks, the ferry company and their employees have been on a knife edge, not knowing whether or not they were coming or going. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

He added he was hopeful that he could arrange a meeting with representatives from Inishowen, Donegal County Council and Limavady Borough Council within the next fortnight.

“I’m hopeful that something can be thrashed out, because the ferry would be a serious loss to the area. For example, a dozen weddings which would have involved the use of the boat have already been booked in the Redcastle hotel.

“We ought to be promoting tourism, not blocking it.”

Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn shared Cllr Doherty’s sentiments, adding that the impending suspension of the service made “absolutely no sense” to him.

“The news absolutely knocked me out of left field”, he said. “When I was a councillor in Inishowen, we had secured funding for the ferry through the Strategic Transport Fund.”

He added that through his role as a TD, he would back all local councillors to help save the