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Beaches in Inishowen popular with northern visitors remained closed yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday. PICTURE: Margaret McLaughlin

Weather keeps bank holiday numbers down at Donegal beaches

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EARLY fears of a influx of northern visitors to beaches in Co Donegal for the Bank Holiday eased with the arrival of rain and blustery weather.

There were concerns that the holiday would create problems after large numbers of visitors flocked to beaches in Inishowen on Sunday. Residents reported seeing cars queued at beaches at Fahan, Lisfannon and Buncrana while there were large tailbacks at Garda checkpoints at entry points into Donegal outside Derry and at Lifford Bridge.

While the Inishowen town of Moville was busier than usual with a marked increase in northern-registered cars yesterday, numbers visiting beaches remained low.

Buncrana Fianna Fáil councillor Rena Donaghy said people were relieved that the feared influx of visitors did not materialise.

Ms Donaghy said: “We’re pleased that people appeared to heed advice. Local people were afraid that there might be larger numbers after a lot of cars turned up at the beaches on Sunday but it didn’t happen. It was cold out and windy and there was some rain so that might have helped.”

Inishowen woman Sinead Stewart said it was unfair that some people ignored guidelines on Sunday, particularly at Fahan beach.

“Fahan beach has been closed with a massive sign saying ‘Closed because of Covid-19’ and the car park is sealed off, there were lines of cars lining along the road and you know for certain that they are not within the 5 km (restriction)," she said.

“We’re standing back and we’re having a conversation and that’s being going on now for over two months because my mum is in a high at-risk group. We’re all being extra cautious; she’s being extra cautious herself and you get dismayed with this kind of thing going on because you’re thinking it’s really not fair."