THREE YACHTS were denied shelter from a storm in a Co Donegal port by protesters claiming to protect the rights of fishermen, the chairman of the county council said.
The yachts, from France, Sweden and Buncrana, Co Donegal, were stopped from entering Greencastle harbour on May 7th after high winds forced them to seek shelter.
It it is understood the boats had come in as far as the pontoon but, after suffering verbal abuse from protesters, the crews were forced to put to sea in the stormy conditions.
The incident has sparked outrage among councillors and fishing representatives who say the “handful” of protesters were not acting on their behalf.
Speaking at this week’s electoral area meeting of Donegal County Council, its chairman, Mickey Doherty, deplored the incident. “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,” said the Fine Gael councillor.
Fianna Fáil councillor Rena Donaghey said she received two e-mails following the incident, saying the visitors suffered “a barrage of verbal abuse”.
“We have to desist from this kind of nonsense,” she said.
Cllr Bernard McGuinness of Fine Gael called for the incident to be reported to gardaí. “Nobody has the right to interfere with any boat,” he said. “Most fishermen I know have no objection whatsoever to yachts.”
Labour’s Martin Farren said a strong message had to go out ahead of the Clipper Challenge 2012, that yachts were welcome in Greencastle.
The dispute centres on the installation of two pontoons last year at Greencastle harbour. Protesters say they fear the pontoons mark the beginnings of a marina that will force out traditional fishermen.
They have received support from Sinn Féin local representatives. Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray told the council meeting he understood the new pontoons were forcing some fishermen into a tighter space within the harbour.
The manager of Foyle Fishermen’s Co-Op at the harbour, John O’Kane, and the long-standing former manager of the organisation, Séamus Bovaird, have distanced the local fishing fraternity from the protests.
Mr Bovaird said some fishermen in Greencastle were also yachtsmen and he had kept a yacht there for 35 years. “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.”