Proposed Limerick bridge ‘would encourage suicide’

A new pedestrian amenity across the Shannon River in Limerick is a “bridge too far” in a city where suicide is at an alarming level.

A former mayor has appealed to the local authority to backtrack on plans for an €18m footbridge, with government funding of €6m already approved.

John Gilligan warned that the amenity would only provide more opportunities for distressed people to take their own lives.

The walkway is between Arthur’s Quay Park and the King’s Island quarter.

Limerick City and County Council is to make up the funding shortfall while a private individual has also shown an interest in contributing.

“It’s a joint ego trip,” Independent councillor and former mayor Mr Gilligan said.

“I have been dealing with gardaí who believe that erecting this bridge is tantamount to allowing people to commit suicide.

“At present we do have a high number of people who have committed suicide in the Shannon — very, very unfortunate people and our hearts go out to them and their families.

“The point is, many of these people are committing suicide off the existing bridges, but every one of those bridges can be accessed by a garda patrol car, an ambulance, or a rescue service.”

“This will bring you right out into the middle of the Shannon and, at the dark of night, nobody will hear, nobody will see, and nobody will be able to stop them.”

The number of people taking their own lives on the river in Limerick has reached epidemic proportions, with the volunteer Corbett Suicide Prevention Patrol manning the city’s bridges some nights.

Mr Gilligan urged city council bosses to “come back down from their ivory towers... and look at the monster they are going to create”.

“I think this bridge is absolutely asinine. It’s about time this bridge was taken off the agenda. We don’t want it. It’s a bridge too far.”

A feasibility report conducted by Limerick City Council stated the bridge would “act as an economic driver” for the city.

“It will be a new tourism attraction where the user seeks the unique perspective afforded by the new vantage point over the River Shannon and takes into consideration the urban infrastructure and impact towards creating a new architectural symbol which has the potential to transform Limerick City’s image,” it added.

Mr Gilligan said: “It will take away from the entire vista in Limerick.”