Quay sale ruling to determine fate of fishermen

FISHERMEN in Waterford who have been battling for years to stop the sale of a section of quay in the city where they land their catches will discover their fate this morning.

The O’Flaherty Brothers took a Supreme Court action earlier this year after the High Court turned down their claim to stop the sale. They submitted that the North Wharf and Frank Cassin Wharf should be kept open to fishing vessels and the landing of their catches.

They also argued that an alternative landing point at nearby Belview suggested by the Port of Waterford could not meet their requirements.

Neither the Port of Waterford nor the O’Flaherty Brothers would comment on the case last night.

The ruling is anticipated at 10.30am today, and if the decision goes against the fishermen, it is understood they will accept it.

They have little other legal recourse in the case.

At the time of the Supreme Court appeal, Seamus O’Flaherty said they never wanted to go to court. ““We don’t want to face into another court case. But we have to.

“We’ve already put two of our boats up for sale, anticipating the High Court decision. If we lose in the Supreme Court and the sale of the section of quay goes through, we will have to look at other options, including decommissioning. We’ve a lot of people employed here and they will be hit,” he said.

Mr O’Flaherty said that the Port of Waterford, as a commercial entity, has an obligation to act in commercial interest. “It’s the Minister for the Marine we are angry with. We blame him. He just sat back and watched this unfold.

“Facilities in Kilmore and Dunmore are totally inadequate. There’s nowhere else for us to go,” Mr O’Flaherty added.

The Port of Waterford Company said on several occasions that fishermen were put on notice over a number of years that the section of property would be sold and that they should make alternatives.

Twenty fishermen claim their livelihoods have been put in jeopardy by the sale.