'It's going to affect us by taking our land away from us'

Opponents of the Carrigans-Lifford Greenway project have vowed they are “not going to let it happen.”

A protest took place outside the Donegal County Council (DCC) office in Lifford, where landowners and residents who may be affected by the project gathered to express their concerns about the development of the Greenway.

The Carrigans–Lifford Greenway Opposition Group, formed following an IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association) meeting at the beginning of September, is seeking firm commitments from the council that Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) will not be used to acquire the necessary agricultural lands.

The demonstrators highlighted that their concerns were the loss of farmland, the potential harm to wildlife and habitats in the Foyle Valley, and the need for thorough seasonal surveys and independent scrutiny.

Additionally, protestors wanted the council to justify the need for another Greenway alongside existing Lifford–Castlefinn facilities and planned TEN-T walking and cycling provision.

Protestor Una Clarke, who attended the protest on behalf of her husband, said: “It’s going to affect us by taking our land away from us. It’s been passed down from his father from one generation to the next, and now our son as well; it’s his livelihood.

“I’m hoping it's not going to happen; that’s why we're here today. We’ll fight them. We’ll get bigger numbers as we go along, and we’re not going to let it happen.

“Farmers are our bread and butter, and without them, what would we do? ... I’ve seen [the Greenways] around the country, and they’re not even being used. The money should go to hospitals and the elderly as well to support them.”

A Transport Infrastructure Ireland report released in 2024 revealed that the project is estimated to cost between €15 million and €20 million.

Cathal McGowan, Chairman of the Carrigans–Lifford Greenway Opposition Group, said he was concerned about the destruction of wildlife and habitats that may occur during the Greenways development.

“In the area, there are a lot of Breeding Waders on it, and geese and swans,” he said. “In the last few weeks, they’ve done aerial drone surveys, and we’ve complained that the drone surveys are done during a time when these geese and swans are returning.”

Mr McGowan said he was concerned that the Greenway would affect farmland in the area by dividing the land and disrupting livestock.

The project has recently progressed into Phase three, Preliminary Design & Landowner Engagement, and landowners along the proposed 18km trail have been contacted by the project team.

Anti-social behaviour was another concern of the demonstrators, as many felt there would be safety issues.

Committee member William McKean said: “I have elderly parents who live in the Porthall area … there are drunk drivers coming down and parking in their driveway, taking drugs. Some mornings I have actually found drug-drivers passed out the following morning.

“This is in a remote area, and this is why they come out to these remote areas. I would be concerned for my elderly parents, and this is before there's a huge space of countryside opening for the public.”

Committee member Donal Lynch said: “We need more police on the roads; there’s not going to be lights on it. It's a very dark area; they need lights put in. They don’t seem to have developed it, thinking about the person who’s going to walk it.”

Luke McKean, a farmer from Lifford, attended the protest with his grandparents Jean and Mervyn McKean.

“The thing is going straight through our land; there’s just a lot of things that are so wrong about it because it will make the farm unfarmable,” Mr McKean said. “Dad’s farming it right now, but I’d not be able to in the future with the way things are going. The loss of habitat and those different things as well, it just doesn’t make any sense.”

The Greenway is expected to pass through Lifford, Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall, St Johnston, and Carrigans; however, the exact route is not yet finalised.