Cork County Council steps up action on abandoned boats

Cork County Council has removed an abandoned boat from Kinsale and is making progress with vessels in Roaringwater Bay as it steps up action on the problem across West Cork.

Brendan Meagher, acting county engineer, said abandoned boats had become a greater focus for the council in recent weeks.

“We have removed a boat in Kinsale in the past fortnight,” he told a meeting of Cork County Council’s Western Division. 

Mr Meagher said the council had also had “some good success” with vessels in Roaringwater Bay.

His comments followed concerns raised by independent councillor Finbarr Harrington about abandoned boats at Castletownbere and Glengarriff. 

Mr Harrington said a boat had been left at Castletownbere Pier for three years. He also highlighted two vessels at Glengarriff.

Mr Meagher said removing abandoned boats was not straightforward, particularly where ownership could not be established. The council must also have the necessary procedures in place before a vessel can be removed.

“It is something that we’re working our way through."

Abandoned boats at West Cork piers have been a recurring issue for councillors. Last year, Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin raised concerns about old vessels at Roaringwater Pier in Aughadown, near Skibbereen. She said boats were obstructing the public pier and one had caused damage to its structure.

The council’s latest update indicates that efforts to tackle the issue are now intensifying, although ownership and legal difficulties remain in some cases.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.