Fishermen fear damage from French military exercises off Cork coast

Fishermen advised that 'missile/rocket firing exercise' by the French military is scheduled to take place between Tuesday and Friday, and also next Monday

Union Hall, West Cork. Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), said the damage that could be caused to biologically sensitive areas is "unknown and will be unquantified”. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Fishermen fear considerable damage will be caused to biologically sensitive areas off the southwest coast by French military exercises which were due to begin as early as 2am tomorrow.

In a notice issued by the Department of Transport, it said it had been advised that a “missile/rocket firing exercise” by the French military is scheduled to take place between Tuesday and Friday, and also next Monday, from 2am to 4pm each day.