Call for urgent government action on 'deathtrap' Mayo pier

ROONAGH Pier, which services Clare Island and Inishturk, has been branded a 'deathtrap'.

The harbour must be brought up to modern safety and operational standards, says Clare Island native and businessman Carl O'Grady.

He has called on the government to get moving and deliver a new harbour at Roonagh, located outside Louisburgh.

Mr. O'Grady shared the story on YouTube, where he described Roonagh as 'a deathtrap'.

Roonagh harbour is a critical lifeline for Clare Island and Inishturk. However, its current condition poses a serious and escalating risk to life - particularly for boat operators, elderly passengers, children, and all users during the harsh winter months, he explained. And the situation is no longer tenable.

As the principal access point to two inhabited offshore islands, Roonagh harbour must be brought up to modern safety and operational standards without delay, said Mr. O'Grady. The lives and wellbeing of island communities - and those who serve them - depend upon it, as does business and community development.

The government has been called on to action the following measures:

Immediately include Roonagh Pier, Clare Island harbour and Inishturk harbour in the National Development Plan (NDP) as critical rural infrastructure.

Prioritise a phased development plan, beginning with Roonagh Pier as the mainland hub, to ensure continuity of safe access to both islands.

Engage directly with island communities and operators to ensure the plan addresses real-world operational challenges and supports long-term sustainability.

He said: “These harbours are not just points on a map; they are the veins through which island life continues to flow. Without investment, the risks will multiply - and the consequences could be grave.

“We urge the government to act decisively now, before a preventable tragedy compels them to do so.”