Council resists efforts to ease up on beach by-laws

KERRY County Council management has resisted efforts to water down some of the ‘draconian’ beach bylaws due to come into effect this summer.

Councillors called for some of the controversial by-laws not to be enforced, but management insisted on sticking to the letter of the law on issues such as a ban on the use of cars, quad bikes, power boats, jet skis and horses on fragile sand dunes. Commercial activities, such as selling water sport equipment, are also to be closely watched out of concern that people hiring and selling equipment are adequately insured.

County manager Martin Riordan said his officials will monitor the beach laws and the council will undertake a review in September.