Mixed opinions on Ballina jetty reopening

Mixed opinions on Ballina jetty re-opening


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

After passing a motion to close the jetty at Bachelor’s Walk in Ballina in 2010, Ballina Town Council have overturned the decision to open the jetty. Town Manager Paul Benson said the previous decision was a difficult one in relation to health and safety. Last week’s meeting of the authority heard that the Ballina Tidy Towns’ group took the jetty on as a project with the intention that it could one day be opened.
The jetty was closed in 2010 due to health and safety risks, along with incidences of anti-social behaviour. Mr Benson said the jetty did not fulfil its function to the extent that similar developments had at The Quay.
The Town Manger further questioned if the jetty’s location was suitable or if it should be moved to a more suitable spot and said a public consultation about the jetty’s reopening and development should take place.
Councillor Peter Clarke (pictured) maintained the jetty ‘serves no purpose’ and cited 30 years of anti-social behaviour at the jetty as reason to keep it closed.
“The old persons’ home near the jetty has been persecuted with young people drinking there,” said Clarke. Cllr Johnnie O’Malley questioned if there was any group that would take over the everyday running of the jetty and queried whether it could be closed at night or not.
The Fianna Faíl councillor added that if it did become a congregation point at night the public would say to close it.
Mayor Willie Nolan proposed the jetty would be opened this June and that a public consultation would also take place.
“Open it and let people have their say,” concluded the Mayor.

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