Council to press on with plans to remove food truck from Ramelton's Gamble Square

Donegal County Council is to press ahead with plans for the removal of a popular food truck from the heart of Ramelton.

Last summer, award-winning food truck 'Johnny’s Ranch' located at Gamble Square was deemed an “unauthorised development” by the council. The council warned that they would force owner Johnny Patterson to close up shop if the food van was not relocated within three weeks. However, no action was taken.

A subsequent rally took place in support of Mr Patterson. Several notable names, such as TV personality Noel Cunningham, urged the Council to change its mind and not remove the food truck.

An online petition has also gained over 2,000 signatures backing Johnny’s campaign to keep his food truck on Gamble Square.

The demonstration, which took place on August 30 last, also saw appearances from a number of local elected officials.

They included 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward, Mayor of the Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District Authority, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Independent Councillors Declan Meehan and Pauric McGarvey and Fianna Fail's Cllr Liam Blaney.

All five expressed their support for Johnny’s Ranch to remain in situ and stressed that they were lobbying Donegal County Council to review their decision.

Now the matter has been mentioned at Letterkenny District Court. Mr Patterson is accused of failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

The court was told by solicitors for Donegal County Council that the matter will require a special sitting and will possibly take a full day to hear. The case has to be mentioned again during the February sittings of the court.