Safety fears at tourist town as more sea wall found ‘unsafe’

Councillors have expressed safety fears about part of an east Cork seaside town after a second section of sea wall was declared unsafe only 12m from where a previous portion collapsed last year.

Restoration work had just been completed on an 8m portion of wall at Moll Goggin’s Corner, Youghal, when a second section was found to be unstable, with major cracks also evident on the footpath.

The narrow footpath and wall stretch about 150m at the top of Lighthouse Hill, which links the town centre and Front Strand. The area overlooks a 30m drop onto the beach and rocks and is popular with walkers and tourists throughout the year.

Under its existing contract, Cumnor Construction installed structural steelwork shoring as a temporary solution, but emergency pedestrian and traffic management measures will relocate from the previous section pending a permanent remedy.

Two small viewing balconies at Moll Goggin’s have been wired off for some years. The latest developments have sparked safety concerns.

Town councillor Mary Linehan-Foley warned that “the entire area needs remedial work” and is concerned about a large viewing balcony adjacent to the lighthouse and jutting 6m over the rocks.

Youghal Town and Cork County councillor Barbara Murray recalled that a 2006 report by local engineers David Kelly Partnerships had predicted “a catastrophe without warning”, including a possible road collapse.

The original wall collapse occurred in May 2012. During a lengthy wait for funding and throughout the six-month restoration, a makeshift pedestrian walk persisted and traffic was reduced to single-lane through emergency lights.

Traders in the Strand said the measures seriously impacted on their businesses as vehicles avoided the area. Youghal Mayor Sammy Revins, who owns a butcher shop in the Strand, has threatened to withhold rates next year if there is a repeat situation.

A spokesman for Cork County Council said it faces “painful” EU procurement procedures, during which a new contract must be put to tender. “It could take several months before new repairs commence.” he said. “And that’s assuming we get funding fairly quickly.”