Gardai to patrol Buncrana ferry 03.08.07

THERE will be Gardai on board the Buncrana to Rathmullan ferry this Bank Holiday Monday to prevent a repeat of an ugly 'stampede' by drunken youths last year. Ferry director Jim McClenaghan said the service would also run a strict return-ticket policy for the holiday.
"People from Buncrana coming over to Rathmullan with return tickets will be the only people getting back with us. We're only taking people back who we take over," he said. Mr. McClenaghan said he had to introduce the policy to prevent a repeat of scenes last year that shocked tourists and other passengers.

"Two fellas jumped overboard and some others wrecked a caravan that was travelling with us. They kicked it and broke lights on it. These fellas were full drunk," Mr. McClenaghan told InishowenNews.com. "We will have a Garda presence on board this year, particularly on the later crossings to prevent the same thing happening again." The August Bank Holiday Monday has traditionally been a day when scores of young people from Buncrana travel to Rathmullan for the day. Before the launch of the Swilly ferry, the crowds were ferried on fishing boats from Inch. The ferry operator said he would not be taking any chances this year. For more information on ferry crossings click here

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