Fishermen offer to buy quays from port firm

FISHERMEN who claim hundreds of jobs are being put on the line by moves by the Port of Waterford to sell off several docking areas have offered to pay €2m for the quays

The Waterford Port Authority plans to sell the North Quays, which include both the Frank Cassin and North Wharves, to meet its debts. The plan will be outlined today at a meeting between port bosses and those involved in the fishing industry in the area.

Fishermen say the sale will mean they won't be able to use the facility from as early as next week and trawlers will be forced to offload stock in Castletownbere or Howth which are significant distances from Waterford. The lands are most likely to be snapped up by a developer and transformed into apartments.