Man dies in Mayo pier tragedy

A MAN in his sixties has drowned in a tragic incident after losing control of his vehicle on a slipway at Belderrig Pier in north Mayo.

The tragedy in which Joachim McNulty from Belderrig, who was in his early sixties, lost his life on Wednesday evening, has been described by a local councillor as grimly reminiscent of a tragedy in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, almost 10 years ago when five members of a Derry family lost their lives.

Councillor Michael Loftus, who assisted at the scene of Wednesday’s tragedy as a member of the Grainne Uaile Sub-Aqua Club, said the vehicle entered the water down a sharp drop at high tide at around 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

“The slipway is extremely slippery,” Councillor Loftus stated. “This tragedy would not have happened if the slipway was cleaned on a regular basis.”

There was a very strong current at the time of the accident but Coastguard personnel from Killala and Belmullet used ropes to prevent the vehicle from being dragged out to sea.

Divers from the Grainne Uaile Sub-Aqua recovered the body. Fire brigade units from Crossmolina and Belmullet as well as gardai and civilians assisted at the scene.

Councillor Loftus explained that he has been concerned for some time about the dangerous state of all 26/28 piers and slipways which are the responsibility of Mayo County Council.

Accordingly he has already tabled a motion calling on the county council to put in place a structure and fully funded work plan for the regular inspection, maintenance and cleaning of every pier and slipway.

Councillor Loftus recommends that the work plan should establish a clear cleaning schedule for each pier and slipway, provide resources, prioritise health and safety, particularly in relation to algae-build up and slip hazards and include engagement with local fishing communities, marine users and coastal residents.