Safety issue may swing Docklands battle

A MAJOR review of safety zones around hazardous oil depots and chemical plants in Cork’s docklands could jeopardise the city’s €2 billion docklands strategy, it was claimed yesterday.

Engineer Bernard Fitzpatrick told those attending the third day of a Bórd Pleanála oral hearing into a contentious compulsory purchase order (CPO) that the city’s docklands development is incompatible with three Seveso, or hazardous chemical sites, in its midst.

He was one of three witnesses called by the Munster Agriculture Society (MAS) who are objecting to the city council’s CPO of its Showgrounds home.