Lemass fears on airport location

CONCERNS about the safety of the current location of Cork Airport at Ballygarvan for commercial air service were voiced by former taoiseach Seán Lemass during the 1950s.

However, Mr Lemass as the then minister for industry and commerce, subsequently overruled a number of safety reports which advised against building Cork Airport on the current site which was also known as Farmer’s Cross.

The reports ruled out the current location of Cork Airport on the grounds of suitability and safety.

The airport, located 6.5km south of the city, was situated in the constituency of Lemass’ successor, Jack Lynch, who was the minister for industry and commerce during the time of the airport’s construction and its official opening in 1961.

The site had been used as an airfield since 1948.

The location of the airport at an altitude of 502ft which was known to be prone to foggy weather conditions has been criticised by some aviation experts.

Other sites were considered as a location for an airport in Cork.

A report of meteorological and other experts had recommended that the facility should be situated at Ahanesk, near Midleton.

In July 1953 Mr Lemass said he was aware that several passenger aircraft had landed at Farmer’s Cross in 1952 but added that the airport “did not possess the facilities which would justify its licensing for the operation of schedule services”.

In March 1953, Mr Lemass said he was opposed to granting a licence to the facility at Farmer’s Cross for commercial aircraft.

“The only objection I have to the airport at Farmer’s Cross is that it is not safe for scheduled air services,” he remarked.

However, the U-turn by the de Valera government in 1957 when Lemass was minister for industry and commerce, in favour of the Ballygarvan site, against the advice of aviation experts and given Mr Lynch’s position as a local TD and minister has raised questions about the background to the decision, especially in light of last week’s crash.