'It looks horrific': Call to remove derelict boats from Kildare river
One local rep called the boats 'an eyesore'
A local councillor has called on Kildare County Council (KCC) to remove derelict boats from a river which goes through the Athy Municipal District (MD).
The request was made by Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin at the most recent MD meeting, which took place on Monday, April 20 last.
Near the end of this meeting, Cllr Breslin motioned for KCC to 'engage with the relevant stakeholders to have the derelict boats removed from the River Barrow on the left bank'.
Her motion was seconded by her party colleague Cllr Mark Leigh.
'GRAVEYARD'
Elaborating on her motion, Cllr Breslin told KCC that she is aware of 'two or three' sunken boats in the river.
She said: "There are no mooring fees in Athy, so some people come here and leave their boats unattended.
"We have become a graveyard for boats; it looks horrific, and we have to find a way to move it forward."
She concluded by urging KCC to find a solution to the dilemma quickly: "Let's invest in this properly; that way, we don't have to do anything about it again."
Fianna Fáil Cllr Brian Dooley then spoke up in support of Cllr Breslin's motion, and referred to the derelict boats as 'an eyesore'.
KCC REPLY
In response to Cllr Breslin's motion, KCC said via the report it provided at the meeting: "[The] Strategic Projects and Public Realm (SPPR) team has engaged with Waterways Ireland regarding the boats referred to by Cllr Breslin.
"They reported an awareness of two sunken boats at Crom a Boo Bridge in an area not under their remit."
KCC continued: "The Barrow Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Branch requested assistance from Waterway Ireland to remove one of the vessels, with the owner’s permission, and this has been agreed by Waterways Ireland."
"The Barrow Navigation in Athy, Ireland, is subject to specific bye-laws enforced by Waterways Ireland; these include regulations on mooring, speed limits, and the use of the waterways for various activities.
"However, they do not extend to the area in which the two vessels mentioned were located."
KCC concluded: "Therefore, it is not within their remit to remove any vessels without the permission of the owner."
Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin. Photograph credit: kildarecoco.ie
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme