Ireland

Gardaí to patrol Donegal beaches

Graffiti written in Irish on Gaeltacht signposts warned campervans to stay at home.
Graffiti written in Irish on Gaeltacht signposts warned campervans to stay at home. Graffiti written in Irish on Gaeltacht signposts warned campervans to stay at home.

GARDAÍ are to patrol beaches and other amenities in Co Donegal and have warned they will disperse any gatherings of more than four people.

Donegal county council has also closed some of the county’s most popular beaches, including Lisfannon, Fahan and Buncrana in Inishowen.

It follows widespread criticism of an influx of northern visitors last weekend.

Graffiti on signs in the Donegal Gaeltacht warning campervans to stay at home sparked angry exchanges.

A council spokeswoman said gardaí "will be taking steps to ensure that social/physical distancing is being observed and will disperse crowds of more than four persons".

“Particular emphasis will be placed on locations that have already experienced crowds who have already flouted the government’s guidance.”