Port users ready to fight docklands sell-off in court

PORT users in Limerick yesterday ratcheted up their campaign to fight a sell-off by Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) of Limerick’s docklands to property developers.

The head of the port users action group Liam Woulfe said they would not rule out going to the courts if they felt it necessary.

SFPC want to raise €100 million to upgrade other shipping facilities in the Shannon Estuary such as Foynes Port which they control and manage.

A sell-off of 44 acres at Limerick Port is one of the primary options being pursued by SFPC to raise this money. The plan would involve the transfer of cargo currently being handled at Limerick to Foynes, 40 kilometres down river.

SFPC last week placed ads in newspaper property pages inviting expressions of interest to purchase the docklands. The port company feels the property would be extremely attractive to property developers for hotels, a conference centre and high-rise apartments.

Port users warn that a sell-off would cost the local economy €20m and 200 jobs.

Mr Woulfe said: “The distinction needs to be made between an overall once-off sale value of Limerick Port to developers versus the absolute importance of a key infrastructural asset such as Limerick Port to an island nation.

“A sale amounts to flagrant asset stripping of the worst kind.”

Mr Woulfe said one way forward could be a public private partnership to operate Limerick Port as a going concern.