Challenge ‘shortened boatmen’s season at island’

The Department of Transport has unlawfully shortened the season available for boatmen to bring tourists and pilgrims to Skellig Michael island off the coast of Kerry, it has been claimed in the High Court.

Boatmen providing a service for visitors to Skellig Michael, which attracts pilgrims and sightseers to its 6th century monastic settlements, say the department should not have placed a condition on their marine licences stating they cannot land there outside May 15 to September 30.

The boatmen say they have been landing there in April and October for decades. However, the department has claimed there are safety issues, relating to algae growth and rockfalls, and that the Office of Public Works (OPW), which looks after the island, does not have any personnel there outside that time.