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Yachts denied shelter in a storm
20.05.11
by
Linda McGrory
INISHOWEN’S county councillors have roundly
condemned an alleged incident at Greencastle Harbour when
three yachts were denied shelter from a storm by a
group “acting like thugs”.
The yachts, from France, Sweden and Buncrana, were
turned away from the harbour by people claiming to
protect the rights of fishermen.
But the incident has sparked outrage among a cross
section of politicians as well as Greencastle
fishermen who stress that the small group of
protestors were not acting on their behalf. |
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Greencastle Harbour where three
visiting yachts were recently turned away. |
Speaking at this week’s
Inishowen Electoral Area meeting in Carndonagh,
chairman, Cllr Mickey Doherty described the incident
as “a disgrace”.
“It’s a disgrace that three visiting yachts were
turned away. That particular day, there were high
winds and their only purpose was to tie up for
shelter. Greencastle is a port that shelters all
kinds of boats and ships so you cannot compare it to
the likes of Fahan Marina. We have to get a grip on
this,” said the Fine Gael chairman. He said the
protestors numbered only “a handful”. He said boat
owners, whether fishermen, yachtsmen or both, who
paid their dues were entitled to use the harbour.
Cllr Rena Donaghey of Fianna Fail said she had
received two emails telling her the visiting
yachts people had suffered “a barrage of verbal
abuse”. “We have to desist from this kind of
nonsense,” she said.
Fine Gael Cllr Bernard McGuinness said he was
“appalled” at the incident, saying it sent out very
negative signal in terms of tourism. He said only
the Council, through the harbourmaster, had the
authority to say who should or shouldn’t be allowed
to use the port.
“That matter should be sent to the Gardai. Nobody
has the right to interfere with any boat. People
shouldn’t be out there acting like thugs. Who are
these people, who do they represent? Most fishermen
I know have no objection whatsoever to yachts,” said
Cllr McGuinness, who said people’s lives were put at
risk on the day.
Sinn Fein Cllr Jack Murray said some people were
concerned that more pontoons were to be installed in
Greencastle. Cllr Murray said he understood that two
pontoons installed at the harbour last year were
forcing fishermen to move and pushing them into a
smaller space. This was rejected by Cllrs McGuinness,
Doherty and Cllr Martin Farren who said there was
ample room for everyone in the harbour. Cllr Farren
said as public representatives, they had to listen
to all sides of the argument. But he said a strong
message had to go out ahead of the Clipper Challenge
2012 that yachts are welcome in Greencastle Harbour
which had a “proud” marine history.
Monday’s meeting also heard claims that the
protestors had used the absence on the day of the
local harbourmaster to stage their protest.
Councillors said it was imperative that a new
harbourmaster was appointed upon the incumbent’s
retirement at the end of this month.
Fine Gael Cllr John Ryan cautioned that such
protests could jeopardise the completion of the
stalled Greencastle breakwater. He said the new
Marine Minister was due to visit Greencastle in June
and a dispute would send out a “terrible message”.
Cllr Ryan said it would set the Government wondering
“why would we waste our money if they can’t agree
among themselves”. Councillors agreed that a “strong
message” had to go out that Greencastle Harbour was
open for business. In a separate development this
week, Greencastle fishing leaders including Foyle
Fishermen’s Co-Op manager John O’Kane and former
manager Seamus Bovaird distanced the local fishing
fraternity from the protest. Mr Bovaird said he had
kept a yacht in the harbour for 35 years and, until
this year, had never had a problem. “The fact that
in all of those 35 years, my boat has never suffered
damage in Greencastle shows the professionalism and
courtesy of the fishermen sharing the harbour,” said
Mr Bovaird. |
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