Expert called in amid fears for O'Connell Bridge

An independent expert has been called in to examine one of Ireland’s foremost landmarks over fears it is falling apart because of global warming.

Dublin City Council insists the prominent O’Connell Bridge at the foot of the capital’s main thoroughfare is structurally sound after routine repairs last week.

But conservationists have spotted a fresh crack in the centuries-old granite crossing over the River Liffey that they say points to serious damage that could result in its collapse.

The National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) believe higher tides caused by climate change are eroding the bridge’s structure and may have dangerously weakened its foundations.

The group – made up mainly of a handful of high-ranking politicians, including an MEP and the politician brother of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern – have called in an independent structural engineer.

Dr Peter McCabe, who specialises in marine engineering and has worked in the field for 40 years, said he is worried from the reports he has received.

“All the indications – from descriptions I’m getting – are that the piers that support the bridge are settling,” he said.

“Cracks don’t appear on the superstructure of a pier for no reason. The primary reason is usually subsidence, an undermining of the foundation.”

Dr McCabe said he is travelling from his base in Cork to Dublin tomorrow morning to examine for himself the suspected crevice on the south-west section of the bridge.

“Bridges are built on piers and piers are very stable. If they settle – that is to say, subside, even millimetres – cracks develop,” he said.

“I’m suspicious that the foundations to these piers have been eroded, in view of the strong flow of the river in recent times.

“But until I see it, I won’t be certain. ”

The engineering consultant said if his fears are confirmed a detailed underwater examination using powerful lights will be needed at the foundations.

Damien Cassidy, a solicitor and NCHG chairman, said he noticed a fracture after council officials completed restoration of a balustrade and several pillars last week.

“An ordinary layman’s inspection of the bridge from the Aston Quay side reveals a considerable horizontal crack,” he said.

“I hope I am wrong about the crack, because if I’m not, there’s a danger that one of the bridge’s alcoves – under a heavy weight, perhaps three or four buses - could actually collapse.”

A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said: “There is no structural instability on O’Connell Bridge and we carry out regular inspections on the bridge. It is structurally sound.”

Mr Cassidy, who makes up the NCHG with former Dublin Lord Mayor Maurice Ahern, MEP Eoin Ryan as well as TDs Joe Costello and Chris Andrews, said authorities were ignoring the impact of rising water levels.

“The water is hitting the bridge at high tide. It should not be hitting the bridge, it should be going under it,” he said.

“It looks like they are closing their eyes to global warming and flood risks.”

The conservationist, pointing out the collapse of several bridges around the country in recent floods, urged an official engineer’s report on all the old bridges spanning the Liffey.

Dublin may even need to consider massive protective measures like the Thames Barrier in London, he said.

O’Connell Bridge was designed by James Gandon, the revered architect behind many of the city’s most impressive buildings, including the Custom House and the Four Courts.

Built in 1794-98, it was originally called the Carlisle Bridge and widened and altered in 1800 before being renamed two years later after Irish political leader Daniel O’Connell.