The Wee Paper, Buncrana (2026)

29/03/2026

System Response

It is with a heavy heart that I have to accept that the victims of the "Mica" DCB crisis have resisted a collective response to their plight and have opted for the "Private Solution"

The 3 main political parties (FF - FG - SF) have conspired (together or separately) to lower the expectations of the victims and to deny them 100% Redress, which is their right. (still to be determined in court and EU)

This report from MABS throws some extra light on the plight of the victims involved and, as the name suggests, offers no final solution.

"The report provides evidence-based insights drawn directly from the lived experience of MABS clients. It makes visible what is often hidden, the psychological toll of living in unsafe, deteriorating homes, while simultaneously grappling with mortgage debt and financial exclusion. The findings are stark, but they also provide a clear pathway for reform. They call on policymakers, financial institutions, and wider society to act with urgency, compassion, and fairness." (end of quote from Forward by Anthony Doherty, MABS)

My thinking on the above is that victims HAVE shared their many issues, in the privacy of the above state body, where people generally have not been able to do so, to a community organisation that they had an equal say in.

They had great trust in MABS, which would be a fair conclusion; this may be a hint as to why a membership body was not the preferred option for the victims to fight their case for 100% Redress, resulting in a weakened position relying on MABS to suggest "reforms" which fall short of demanding 100% Redress and will fall on deaf ears in the Dail.

The printed version of the report is available in the Buncrana Library and online on https://www.mabs.ie/documents

Tony Grant, March 2026

26/03/2026

Inishowen Creatives

Last Sunday, the 22nd saw the coming together of creative writers in Greencastle to listen to each other's work. As each writer took the floor to deliver their material, it was obvious that something special was happening. Not only were they impressive as people who were high achievers in the community, but they had also taken to putting some of their thoughts into words for the rest of us to enjoy.

The plan of creating a book out of the evening's readings, like last year, was great news.

Reflecting later on the event (across the road, in the pub, of course), I realised that I had experienced tranquillity, non-disturbance of my thoughts, when what I came for was stimulation, energy. Alas, maybe I was too early, in this place across the road, to experience just that, a few hours later, maybe, plus another artificial stimulant might do it.

What is an evening out if it doesn't have variety?

Don't Answer That.

Tony Grant, March 2026

21/03/2026

Still In Control

On show once again this year in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin was "The Royal Carriage," originally built by Irish people and restored to its former glory in recent years by Irish People. A work of art by any standard, I would say, BUT why are we still displaying the emblems of "the old enemy" on our "National Day"?

It would be more appropriate to have this type of thing on display in a museum along with the other art effects from the period as an educational aid and a reminder to us of British domination in the proper setting.

I would go further and say it is about time that we changed some of the Street Names in our towns and villages back to what they were in pre-occupation Ireland.

In Buncrana in recent years, a builder who spent many years in England, returned home to Buncrana and named a new housing estate Doonwood, where Dun Wood at least would have leaned a little towards the Irish version of the name.

It is our slevish attitude towards England that still lingers on to the present day.

It is time that we at least became aware of our behaviour and hopefully take more pride in our own language and culture.

Surely no thoughtful English person wants to visit Ireland, only to find a "Little England."

Tony Grant, March 2026

16/03/2026

Hope

How can Pieta help ?

Are you in Suicidal Distress or Engaging in Self-harm ?

You might not want to tell anyone that you are feeling suicidal because you are worried they will be shocked or might not understand.

We know the scariest part can be picking up the phone, but we are here to help.

Have you been bereaved by su***de ?

Pieta provides free counselling to adolescents and individuals who have been bereaved by su***de.

Freephone: 1800 247 247

Text HELP to 51444

Tony Grant, March 2026

14/03/2026

Community Action

On a normal Saturday in Buncrana, you would not see this number of people on the street outside the Community Hospital.

Something was stirring, or something got their goats up, as they were rightly very interested in every word that was being spoken through the microphone.

The only public representative that was missing was the Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue; the rest of them spoke against the delays in repairs and upgrades now being experienced at the Hospital.

The job has been held up, not by money, as that has been allocated; no, it is being held up by incompetence, the inability to get the job done.

We must not let it happen here; what is happening to the New Children's Hospital in Dublin?

I am sure this was on the minds of the people gathered outside the Buncrana Community Hospital today.

Later, as Noel King and I talked about the sad situation over a pint in The Cottage, he told me about his cousin Una, who is in a Care Unit up in Letterkenny. She can't understand why her friends are not coming to talk to her; if she were down in Buncrana, she would have regular visitors. This is a big loss to her well-being and recovery, he said.

He said it was tragic because the HSE is holding back the already allocated 1.3 million Euro.

Surely this is a combination of bad management, incompetence and the lack of political will on the part of the politicians to keep the pressure on the HSE to get the job done.

We have seen in the past where the politicians vote to cut funds that will provide the means to get the job done, and then, when it is not done, they are the first out to complain that the job is not getting done, and we are the mugs who accept their crocodile tears.

Going by what happened today in Buncrana, I would say that the eyes are on them this time, and they had better deliver or else.

Tony Grant, March 2026

13/03/2026

Services Delayed are Services Denied

FF National and Local politicians were first out to express their disappointment with the delay to the start of the improvement works at Buncrana Hospital. They got their speak in first before the rest of them.

This, of course, is not surprising, as they are in government and should know what is going on before anyone else.

You would think that they were in opposition, the way they were talking, crying crocodile tears; both coordinated their statements very well through local media.

Charlie McConalogue was out in the media last week claiming credit for himself and his Party for the progress with the new "step down" hospital wing in Letterkenny, and this week he is expressing disappointment with the lack of progress in Buncrana, as if he were in opposition and had nothing to do with it.

It is what they call "The Game of Politics"

The public will have an opportunity to have their say tomorrow outside the Hospital at 4 pm

Tony Grant, March 2026

11/03/2026

All Targets Missed

A total of 140 new-build social homes were completed in Donegal in 2025, and only 388 since 2022

That is only an average of 97 per year

It must be obvious to us all by now that Donegal County Council have next to no interest in building social homes for people in the County.

It looks like they have thrown in the towel; they have lost heart in the project, and we are asking them to put their hands up and admit to themselves and the public that they have failed so many times to deliver any target that they set for themselves or that the government sets for them.

Two years ago, the government gave DCC a target of 1,286 new homes to build annually.

We must conclude that the figure of 140 achieved is not an attempt to achieve the target of 1,286

It is time for a National House Building Agency to be set up to achieve the 1,286 social homes to be built annually in Donegal.

Failure to achieve the government targets will hold back the development of the county and result in more emigration, overcrowding, and deprivation, not to mention the escape from exorbitant rents.

Donegal Councillors will tell you that there is no pressure from the public to build more social homes and "people around here tell me that they like things the way they are"

What do you think ?

Tony Grant, March 2026

05/03/2026

Tai Chi Classes

With the Chinese Year of the Horse underway - a symbol of energy and forward movement - it's a great time to start something new or deepen an existing practice.

Tai Chi classes are ongoing in St. Mary's Hall, Buncrana, offering a gentle way to improve balance, reduce stress, and build strength at your own pace.

Beginners and returning learners are all welcome.

Tony Grant, March 2025

01/03/2026

Free Oyster Map

The above picture is only one of the 12 fish farms that have applied for licences to operate, continue to operate or expand their operations on the Swilly.

We are attempting to get the message out to the public about the extent of the devastation that will result if they are granted these licences by the government.

A volunteer for the environment sent us this interactive map of the licence applications around Lough Swilly. (see the link below)

Feel free to use it to quickly gain access to every location involved in applying for licences on Lough Swilly.

By clicking on each location, you can access the details of each application.

It will be more convenient for you to make your submission to try to stop these applications from going forward.

http://theweepaper.ie/lough_swilly_map.html

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 4th March 2026

Tony Grant, March 2026

Editor's Note: Email us with your suggestions for more articles at theweepaper@gmail.com

26/02/2026

Oyster Submission

To help people make a submission in response to the proposed licence applications on Lough Swilly, we have put a link below where you can click on the location that you are interested in writing about, and you will be brought directly to the page you are looking for.

http://theweepaper.ie/lough_swilly.html

The Deadline for submissions to be in is 4th March 2026

Tony Grant, February 2026

Editor's Note: contact theweepaper@gmail.com if you can supply any more information and we will do our best to publish it.

25/02/2026

Biodiverse Library Display

Buncrana Community Library will host a public showing of a Biodiversity Plan for our area from 2026 to 2030.

Today, Wednesday 25th February from 3:30 to 6:30pm

You will be invited to participate in feedback on what you think of the plan.

3 hours of public consultation in Buncrana is not enough time for people to get down to see it.

Schools should be allowed out early to visit it, and in particular, TY Students should be encouraged to spend some time there.

Have a look at who controls the environment in your area.

They have immense power over how our town and our surrounding area will look in the future.

Will Buncrana look like Portrush, Bundoran or Letterkenny in the future ?

That is a scary thought.

Find out today in the Library.

Tony Grant, February 2026

Editor's Note: Express your opinion here by writing to theweepaper@gmail.com

24/02/2026

Another Indecent Proposal

Another Indecent Proposal from the government landed, this time on the people living on the banks of Lough Swilly.

Last month, it was the Special Needs Assistants, and this month, it is the proposed exploitation of the Swilly for the benefit of the few.

The rest of us are expected to roll over and take it lying down; this time, that will not happen, because of what I witnessed last night at the fight back meeting in Newtowncunningham.

Gerard Moyne told the meeting that it was "an invalid proposal" because the proposal was not publicly available in Milford Garda Station on 19th February when a member of the public called to view the document.

It is required by law that a 14-day notice be on file and publicly available.

A picture must be published in the Newspaper and this must be attached to the file that must be available for public viewing.

None of these criteria has been adhered to; the planning law was breached, and the proposal must fall.

Just like the SNA debacle and U-Turn by the government, when they found out that the people were not going to take it lying down, they jumped ship. If we get organised on this proposal, we will achieve the same result.

We have 6 days to get our objections in to the Department, if we are to succeed.

Email: reedjacqui@hotmail.com

for information and support on how to get that done.

We will keep you updated here.

Tony Grant, February 2026

Editor's Note: contact us on theweepaper@gmail.com if you have comments to make.

The Wee Paper

29/03/2026

26/03/2026

21/03/2026

16/03/2026

14/03/2026

13/03/2026

11/03/2026

05/03/2026

01/03/2026

26/02/2026

25/02/2026

24/02/2026

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