Councillors back river dredging amid growing criticism

By Sean O’Riordan

Two county councillors say they are satisfied by assurances from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that fish life will return to a river in Co Cork, despite claims that deep and extensive dredging could prevent that from happening.

Environmentalists have criticised the extent of dredging on the river in Bandon, where a €16m flood prevention scheme is nearing completion.

One local environmentalist, Declan Waugh, recently posted a comment online saying he had never seen anything like the “butchery” undertaken on the river and weir.

Others questioned why such deep dredging was required on a river renowned for its salmon fishing.

However, two councillors said they have faith in what IFI and the OPW are doing, as they are the experts in their respective fields.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan, who lives in the town, said Bandon was “devastated” by a flood in 2009 and hit again in 2013.

Hydrogeological tests have shown that this is the engineering solution for Bandon,” she said.

Ms Coughlan said that, as a town councillor in 2009, she had pleaded with the OPW and IFI to carry out significant dredging of the river instead of “piecemeal” removal of debris which had accumulated in it.

“In 2013, we had another big flood event and engineering assessments were carried out and what we have now is a result of them,” she said

Work continues on the footbridge in the town.

“I think the criticism is unfounded. It [the river] looks far worse this year because of the prolonged lack of rainfall. If the [dredging] work that was needed was done properly over the past 50 to 60 years, it wouldn’t look the way it does now.”

Ms Coughlan said the people of Bandon are very proud of their angling tradition and acknowledged that the current work is a disruption to nature.

“But the floods were also very disruptive to the lives and businesses of the people of Bandon,” she said. “If the experts are sanctioning this work then I expect them to know what they’re they’re doing. As public representatives we expect that we are getting the best advice available.

“I’m also delighted that they underpinned and strengthened the bridge.”

Independent councillor Alan Coleman said the OPW’s decision to deepen the channel is the only way to prevent a repeat of recent flooding episodes.

IFI have agreed with the proposal,” said Mr Coleman. “I know it might present difficulties for fish, but nature has a great way of adapting and overcoming. We’re assured by IFI and the OPW that they will recover.

However, he did question why the new fish pass is so big.

“People have nicknamed it a ‘whale pass’ instead of a fish pass,” he said.