Council moves bulldozer to beach after private operator diverts river

WEXFORD COUNTY Council has moved a bulldozer and outdoor staff to Clones Strand near Castletown after a private operator this week diverted a local river.

The council said it was responding to a health and safety issue after local complaints that work by a third party had diverted the Ahare river, also known as the Inch or Kilgorman river.

Earlier this week locals complained the diversion of the water course had resulted in quicksand-like conditions on the beach. However, the environmental group Coastwatch took issue with the council yesterday, claiming the council’s use of the bulldozer was effectively facilitating the initial diversion of the river.

Coastwatch said the council was retaining the new alignment, “facilitating the initial action at taxpayers’ expense”.

Karin Dubsky of Coastwatch said she went to the beach yesterday because she was prepared to sit in front of the council’s bulldozer to prevent it working. “This shows what little coastal protection there is in this country.”

The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and the Department of the Environment each sent officials to the beach to examine work yesterday. Donnacha Byrne, fisheries environment officer with the board, said it was disappointed the initial works had taken place “without even consultation”.

He said the area was an important fishery for sea trout, and the river was important for brown trout, small numbers of salmon and lamprey.

While he said action should be taken against those responsible for the initial works on the beach, he believed the river would return to its initial alignment.

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said it had sent an official to investigate and was awaiting a report.

A spokesman for Wexford County Council said it had decided to move in its own bulldozer after an inspection of the beach had led to concern over health and safety issues. Warning signs had also been erected by the council.