Protest hears residents’ concerns over Carrigans to Lifford Greenway - Donegal News

PROTESTERS held a demonstration this afternoon against the Carrigans to Lifford Greenway, which will affect local landowners.

PROTESTERS held a demonstration this afternoon against the Carrigans to Lifford Greenway.

East Donegal residents shared a number of concerns about the project, which incorporates local property and farmland in its proposed route.

They expressed worries for local wildlife and the possibility of the greenway being used as a route for criminal activity.

Some 20 farms will be impacted as their land falls on the preferred route, which is approximately 18km long.

Today’s protest was organised by the Lifford Carrigans Landowners and Residents Committee and held at County House, Lifford.

It took place ahead of meetings in the council headquarters with potentially impacted landowners.

Greenways are funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and managed by Donegal County Council.

Representatives with letters of the protest at the council office in Lifford today. Photo: Brian McDaid.

The Carrigans to Lifford Greenway aims to create a recreational route for pedestrians, cyclists, and those with impaired mobility, according to the website description.

It reads: “Delivery of such a greenway would not only provide a great recreational facility and social support for local communities, but also draw domestic and international visitors to the area benefitting the social and economic factors in the settlements located along the selected route.

“It will also act as a valuable corridor providing a safe, sustainable and healthy modal option for all users.”

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The project also aims to integrate with the Castlefin to Lifford Greenway and the Foyle Valley Greenway, providing cross-border connectivity to Derry and Strabane.

However, a petition outlining local concerns about the greenway’s impact has been signed by 120 people so far.

As of September 1, 2026, a total of €625,736 was spent on the greenway, according to figures from Donegal County Council obtained through a freedom of information request.

It emerged earlier this year that the cost of greenway projects currently stands at approximately €2 million per kilometre.

Committee member Donal Lynch told the Donegal News that residents are not opposed to the idea of a greenway.

However, the feasibility of building a greenway in a predominantly rural and farming area has been questioned.

He said residents feel that the money spent could be used elsewhere in the community, such as widening rural roads and investing in tourism.

There have also been questions relating to the upkeep of the greenway, as the TII currently does not have a dedicated maintenance budget.

“What we need from the council is we need them to do their surveys, as in projected usage, its viability,” said Mr Lynch.

Committee member William McKean agreed: “We need to have something that’s viable and something that’s wanted.

“Most importantly, the environment. As landowners and residents who live in the area, we know how sensitive the environment is around that particular area and basically we’ve educated people in the council or people that are planning all this.”

Mr McKean explained that issues with anti-social behavior along the Lifford to Castlefin Greenway have sparked fears that similar problems will arise from the new greenway.

“My own elderly parents live in the Porthall area. I leave them every evening and lock the gates behind them.

“And I go over to my workplace every morning, and at night time, there’s drug drivers coming down, parking in their driveway, taking drugs. And some mornings, I have actually found the drug drivers passed out.

“This is at 9am the following morning. And this is in a remote area, and this is why they come out to these remote areas to do this because there’s nobody about.”

Mr Lynch added: “If there is going to be a drugs corridor coming about, they’re going to use it.”

He called for policing and lighting to be developed along the greenway.

Mervyn and Jean McKean were also in attendance at the meeting as the greenway takes in their land.

Jean expressed concerns for her grandson Luke, highlighting the impact the greenway will have on succession plans for their farm.

Mervyn and Jean McKean and grandson Luke at the Greenway protest in Lifford. Photo: Brian McDaid.

Group Chairman Cathal McGowan said: “This is about our livelihoods, our homes and the future of the Foyle Valley.

“A line on a map can divide a working farm, disrupt livestock movement and drainage, and permanently change the countryside around people’s homes.

“The valley supports breeding waders, wintering whooper swans, geese and other wildlife. Habitat loss and disturbance could affect the feeding, nesting and resting grounds they depend on. We want thorough seasonal surveys, independent scrutiny and publication of the findings before decisions are made.”

He added: “With a greenway already available between Lifford and Castlefin, and further walking and cycling facilities planned within the TEN-T project, the council must demonstrate what additional demand justifies crossing productive farmland.

“Construction funding is only the beginning. Who will pay to maintain approximately 18 kilometres of surfaces, drainage, fencing and vegetation – and will that draw staff and funding away from essential road maintenance?

“We are calling for less disruptive alternatives to be properly examined, meaningful consultation with every affected landowner and genuinely voluntary agreements for private land. We oppose compulsory purchase for this project.”

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