THE ferry service from Cape Clear is back in full operation after repairs were made to the storm gates which had trapped the regular ferry inside one of the island’s harbours.

The Dún Aengus ferry could not be used for a number of days while operators waited for repairs to be made to the hydraulic arms which open and close the gates.

Alternative boats had to be secured by the operators to maintain a service between Cape Clear and the mainland.

In an update yesterday the Cape Clear Ferry service said: “Embarking passengers from Cape Clear this morning were greeted by the welcome sight of the Dún Aengus ferry, back in service after the storm gates were finally reopened late last evening by a Department of the Marine engineer and local staff.”

The €4.3m storm gates were installed at the redeveloped harbour in 2015. They are operated by hydraulic arms but last Wednesday morning a stainless steel pipe burst, leading to a loss of oil pressure, meaning the gates could not be opened for a number of days.