Rotting wreck has no ‘Charisma’

EYESORE The boat wreck 'Charisma' is pictured close to the Point in Westport, with Croagh Patrick in the background.Pic: Conor McKeown

Campaign to dispose of old boat at Westport Quay is raised with county council officials


Áine Ryan

WITH a name like ‘Charisma’, the rotting wreck at Westport Quay is certainly not enhancing the upgraded area around the Point.
Unsurprisingly, the danger it poses as significant numbers of young people congregate in the area to swim and socialise has become the subject of concern amongst locals and their representatives.   
One campaigner, Cllr Peter Flynn (FG) told The Mayo News yesterday that he has just recently been in touch with county council representatives about the urgency of its removal.
“During April I asked could it not be removed under the Dangerous Structures Act but was advised that it is privately owned and not the responsibility of the council. I am aware though that some time ago the council costed the operation and put it out to tender but ultimately deemed the price too expensive. However, since then two local companies  ave received the relevant licenses to carry out the operation and I understand it would cost a lot less than the previously quoted €30,000,” Cllr Flynn said.
He highlighted the increased danger, saying: “There are so many kids going down  to the Point now and it would be a shame since the council carried out such great upgrade works there if the area was tainted by an accident.”
The traditional swimming area at the Point, on Roman Island, has become very popular since the onset of the pandemic for daily swimmers.     
Meanwhile, Rosmoney resident, Mary Finan told The Mayo News that last year she wrote to a number of councillors and the Tidy Towns Association about this ‘horrible’ structure.
“A member of the Tidy Towns told me they were ‘blue in the face’ asking the council to do something about that boat. I am now calling on them again to do something about it,” Ms Finan said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Cllr Flynn argues that from his perspective the boat wreck is ‘in a very public area and in a harbour directly under the control and responsibility of the council’.
“The Charisma poses a serious danger to anyone boarding it given how badly it has deteriorated over the last decade. The Council is aware of the danger it poses and I would ask that steps are taken either to cordon it off or have it removed,” Flynn wrote in his letter to the local authority.
The Mayo News had not received a response to questions put to the relevant county council official at the time of going to Press.