A group of local people in the Buncrana community have come together to welcome all new residents to the area.
Buncrana For All have been engaging with local public representatives, community groups and businesses to address the recent tensions created by what they called “a very small minority.”
Local organiser Antonia Smith said: “Buncrana has experienced some very serious incidents in the town recently, with one successful arson and another arson attempt coming within a few days of each other.
“We are working within the community to try to de-escalate tensions before someone is seriously hurt.”
She continued: “There is a small but vocal minority online, which might give the impression that the prevailing view in Buncrana is one of fear, anger and exclusion.
“This small minority are using the fact that we need better services, safe & MICA free homes, and decent work, to turn us against each other and to fuel hate.
“From engaging with local people, organisations and businesses, we’ve found that the vast majority of people here are very open and welcoming towards everyone in the town.
“The number of people in attendance at the welcome event we organised on The Shore Front in Buncrana, even though it was organised only a few short days beforehand, is testament to how lovely people in Buncrana are.”
She continued “People are mainly only concerned because of the misinformation they have been seeing online.
“We will be running more Meet and Greet events in the near future, so that people can get to know each other and hopefully assuage any concerns they may have.”
The group will meet in The Exchange Inishowen which runs an Intercultural Café every Thursday from 11am – 1pm, and the group are encouraging everyone to call in and get together and have a chat.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends.”
Organiser Sinead Stewart added: “We can see right now that communities often feel left in the dark as a result of government policy.
“Our communities are hurting for many reasons – often as a result of systemic under-resourcing like we have here in Donegal, so when there’s a significant moment in a community it can serve as a lightning rod for channelling unrest. From there it can quickly become weaponised.
“We are aiming to ensure Buncrana does not fall into that trap.
“Local engagement on the issue is hugely positive and we are having some very positive, thoughtful, measured conversations with people who are interested in facts, evidence and accurate information”.
