Fishermen call on State to intervene in dispute

FISHERMEN in Waterford say they’ll be forced into taking a costly injunction against port officials before the end of this month, unless the government intervenes to sort out a bitter two-year dispute.

Last year, the Port of Waterford sold its north wharf to a private developer. Fishermen from across the south-east land their catches there daily. And while the port says fishermen can use nearby Bellview Port for such work and have known about the sale for up to two years, large companies such as O’Flaherty Brothers say it’s not a viable alternative.

Seamus O’Flaherty of O’Flaherty Brothers says they don’t want to go back into court on the matter again but will have to seriously consider an injunction if the Government does not throw them a lifeline and the port proceeds with its plans to close the area to fishermen on January 31.