Quay wall collapses again at Cork's South Gate Bridge

Calls for a full audit of Cork’s historic city quay walls were made earlier this year.

The collapse occurred on the wall adjacent to the north-eastern side of the South Gate Bridge. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A section of wall has collapsed along the historic quay by Cork City’s South Gate Bridge.

It is understood to be the third time that a section of wall has collapsed along this stretch so far this year. No one was injured during the incident.

Approximately three square metres of the quayside wall collapsed and there are fears that more of it could still fall into the river.

Ger Ryan, Third Officer with Cork City Fire Brigade responded to the incident at 1.35pm today.

The wall collapse affected seven or eight parking spaces in the privately owned City Car Park, which lies along the river and between Grand Parade and South Main Street in the city centre.

Cork City Fire brigade moved any vehicles parked close to the collapsed wall away from the danger zone and prevented any vehicles from being damaged in the incident.

The collapse also affected the wall adjoining the South Gate Bridge. The bridge was closed to both vehicles and pedestrians this afternoon but has since reopened. Only one section of footpath on the historic bridge closest to the car park remains closed pending full assessment.

“A section of the wall collapsed into the water,” Mr Ryan said. “We were concerned so we closed the road and the footpath temporarily until we could assess it.

“We got engineers out from the City Council and they’re keeping the footpath on one side closed just until they can do a full assessment. The bridge itself is now open again to traffic and pedestrians on one side. But it’s closed to pedestrians on the side nearest the carpark.

“There is a fear that more of the carpark could fall into the water. The car park itself is private, the bridge is public but it’s not the bridge itself that is dangerous, it’s the wall next to the bridge.

“The footpath will be closed until a full assessment can be done, the tide could come in and wash away more of the debris so we want it closed off until they can do a full assessment."

Calls were made earlier this year for a full audit of Cork’s historic city quay walls after a partial collapse close to the same bridge in April.

Earlier this year, Independent councillor Mick Finn raised concerns about crumbling quay walls at nearby French’s Quay.

Engineers conducted an initial site inspection on the damaged area near South Gate Bridge back in April, and were satisfied there was no immediate risk to adjoining property or to the bridge and a more detailed inspection was planned.

South Gate Bridge is one of Cork’s oldest bridges and forms an important thoroughfare in the city. Originally built in 1713, the triple-span limestone arch bridge is one of the two oldest surviving bridges of its type in Ireland.