Calls for Newport 'eyesore' boats to be sunk in Clew Bay

A PROPOSAL has been made to sink two boats off the west Mayo coast as a way of disposing of an 'eyesore' at the harbour in Newport.

Last month, the MV Shingle which had been seized by the Revenue Commissioners was sunk in Killala Bay to create Ireland's first artificial reef and now a councillor in west Mayo has asked for something similar in Clew Bay.

Independent councillor Johnny O'Malley was speaking at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District where he called for the removal of abandoned boats in Newport Harbour.

“In Newport there are two boats that are there for the longest time and they are only an eyesore. They cannot say they cannot be sunk because they sunk a big boat down in Killala Bay and they could take those two and sink them as well. Maybe someone could use them for diving,” he suggested.

The sinking of the MV Shingle in Killala Bay was lauded by the councillors in the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District with Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle saying it was a wonderful achievement.

“What he achieved is phenomenal and it will help us with tourism and he [Cllr Michael Loftus] needs to be complemented,” he said.

Westport councillor Brendan Mulroy also expressed his opinion that a similar venture for Clew Bay should also be examined.

Cllr Coyle also called for old oil tanks at Blacksod Pier to be removed as they are an eyesore and 'a disgrace to have them beside the most historic lighthouse in the world'.

Michael O'Boyle, Head of Marine in Mayo Council Council said the removal of the tanks is a priority and they are also working on permanent toilets for Blacksod Pier.

Mr O'Boyle added that his department is also working with the Department of Community and Rural Development on carrying out a study on the infrastructure of the Clew Bay islands and developing Roonagh Pier. He said he hopes progress will be made on this in the coming months and they will be able to receive government funding to move to the design stage.

The issue of Roonagh Pier was raised by Louisburgh councillor Chris Maxwell who said the development of Roonagh Pier was vital for island community life.

Westport councillor Peter Flynn said that many piers and harbours are a mess during the summer and asked for an update on the implementation of by-laws for local piers.

Mr O'Boyle replied that the council were anxious to get the bylaws up and running but added that while they are 'easy to put together', the big challenge was building a system around them to be able to follow up on them.