The pier at Buncrana where five people lost their lives in March.
Donegal County Council have carried out an overhaul of the pier on which five members of one family died when their car slipped into Lough Swilly in March.
Donegal Daily has learned that the council has power-hosed Buncrana Pier and treated it with special chemicals ahead of the busy summer season.
The overhaul took place a day before the Buncrana-Rathmullan Ferry recommenced on Friday last.
Sean McGrotty, his sons Evan and Mark, mother-in-law Ruth Daniels and sister-in-law Jodie Lee Daniels all perished when their jeep slipped into Lough Swilly on March 20th last.
Heroic passer-by Davitt Walsh managed to swim to the sinking jeep and rescue Mr McGrotty’s baby daughter Rioghnac-Ann.
In a statement issued to Donegal Daily, a spokesman confirmed the pier has been treated and will be monitored in the coming weeks and months.
It also confirmed that new signs have been erected at the slipway and that a gateway to the slipway will remain locked when the ferry is not operating.
A spokesman said “Donegal Co. Council treated and removed algae on Thursday 16 June in advance of the ferry commencing. It was treated by applying the sodium hypochlorite on Thursday and by pressure washing on Friday to remove the dead algae.
“Some further algae was removed yesterday on 20 June from lower down the slipway that couldn’t be removed on Friday due to the neap tide. It is not possible to remove the algae that is under water.
“The situation will continue to be monitored over the next three months while the ferry is in operation.
“The ferry operator has signs in place to help control traffic wishing to board the ferry and traffic is directed down the slipway and onto the ferry by the ferry crew.
“The gate at Buncrana remains open while the ferry operates between 10am and 8pm and is then closed and locked by the ferry operator at night.”
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