Mayo pier tragedy 'an accident that should not have happened'

A TRAGEDY at a pier in north Mayo would not have happened if the slipway had been cleaned, a councillor who attended the scene as a volunteer first responder has told a local authority meeting.

Following the accident at Belderrig on the evening of February 18, in which local man Joachim McNulty lost his life, a motion has come before Mayo County Council to put in place a structured, fully funded work plan for the regular inspection, maintenance and cleaning of all 26/28 piers and slipways in the county.

Mr. McNulty's daughter, Joanna, has shared harrowing details of her father's death after his car entered the sea having slipped on moss and algae on the pier.

Her Dad managed to phone his wife to tell her he had not long left, she said in a post on social media.

The family then had to endure 'the unimaginable experience' of waiting almost four hours while emergency services worked to recover his car and bring him home to them.

“My father fought to get out,” she said. “The handbrake had been pulled to the last, and his arm was badly bruised from trying to open the door, but despite his best efforts he could not escape.”

More than two weeks later, the slipway at Belderrig Pier still has visible moss and algae build-up.

It was confirmed at a meeting of Mayo County Council yesterday (Monday) that the pier has not been cleaned.

Councillor Loftus was among the members of the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club team who attended the scene, along with other emergency services, including fire service, Coast Guard, RNLI, gardaí, ambulance and local people, to whom tribute was paid for their joint efforts to help.

“This was an accident that should not have happened,” said Councillor Loftus. “He did not need to die if that slipway was cleaned and looked after as it should be.”

He added: “It was a harrowing scene,” and the slipway was treacherous on the night.

And, he warned: “This is going to happen again if we don't do something about it.”

It happened in Buncrana, where a family was lost, and it will happen here, and we need to act now.

“What is a life worth?” Councillor Loftus asked. A scheme has to be put in place as soon as possible so all piers and slipways are cleaned regularly. It's important for tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and all users of the piers to use and enjoy them safely, he said.

The motion, he added, should also go to other coastal counties, and there are also piers and slipways at lakes that also need to be looked at, he added.

The motion received unanimous support, with Councillor Marie Therese Duffy highlighting the need also for safety barriers to improve safety.

It wasn't acceptable, she said, that the pier still hasn't been cleaned and she pressed management that it be done, at the latest, by this evening (today, Tuesday).

The chief executive said he could not give an undertaking regarding an operational matter like that.

There has been a request in respect of all piers and slipways. There is a programme and a request made for more detail, and that will be provided.

The following written response was issued to Councillor Loftus' motion: 'As part of the Maritime Strategy 2040 that went before the council in December, the associated 5-year implementation 2025-2030 plan sets out several actions, one of which was the following - Develop protocols for sustainable public amenities at key coastal locations coordinating with the Municipal Districts and Tourism Section. In the context of piers and harbours this refers to the sustainable provision of signage, lighting, guarding, water, power, waste facilities, toilets, cranage, etc, and the management of slipways.

'In terms of a protocol for slipways notwithstanding the points outlined, establishment of a sustainable level of service, assessment of signage, markings and other mitigating measures, and legal considerations would also need to be assessed.

'It must be recognised that any increased level of service will come with an associated increase in costs which would need to be budgeted for.

'Engagement with the relevant Strategic Policy Committee and Municipal Districts would be of key importance.

'Development of this protocol will require a period of preparation but will be established as a matter of urgency.'

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme