BREAKING NEWS: By Chris Massey, Our Christmas Correspondent: Santa is on his way to Donegal.
He was spotted circling over Malin Head in his magic sleigh just after 8.30pm by local people before several more positive sightings shortly afterwards from Fanad to Crolly.
However we understand he hasn’t touched down in Donegal just yet as he’s checking wind patterns and power outages.
However his first stop will be Arranmore Island in the next hour.
His presence there later this evening had sparked a row earlier on Christmas Eve with both ferry companies operating between the island and Burtonport.
Both ferry operators had claimed on Facebook that they would be bringing Santa, his reindeers and presents to the mainland after his visit to the island.
Cllr David Alcorn had to hold an emergency meeting in a Burtonport bar to resolve the dispute this afternoon, with the RNLI now stepping in.
“Santa was keen to save the reindeers’ energy for the rest of the night because it was so stormy and he decided to get the ferry across, but this row between the red and blue ferry companies over who was going to take Santa across wasn’t good,” said Cllr Alcorn.
“There’s a row about this every year and there’s no need for it. They really should take turns.
“Thankfully the Arranmore Tunnel is due to open before next Christmas and that’ll put an end to that. Merry Christmas,” he added.
Meanwhile eye-witness Joe ‘Dearg’ Gallagher, speaking from outside the North Pole Bar in Drumfries, near Clonmany, said Santa stopped off for a drink with him around 8.35pm.
Mr Gallagher admitted that he had “had a few” but insisted Santa had spoken to him in fluent Irish and confirmed he was heading for Arranmore first.
“He was in good form, but I was surprised to see him drinking Pepsi. I thought he was a Coca-Cola man myself,” said 83-year-old Joe.
He added: “Nollaig shona.”
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