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Safety chains needed along river

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A LACK of safety chains and ladders on a new wall along the River Fergus could result in a lost life if somebody falls into the water, it is feared.
At Monday’s meeting of Ennis West Electoral Area, Councillor Tony Mulqueen urged that safety measures be provided at the wall constructed along the river.
He was informed by Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer, that the council is seeking a water safety audit from Irish Water Safety.
“It is anticipated that this will be carried out within the next two to three months. The audit will be forwarded to the Office of Public Works for their consideration,” he said.
Councillor Mulqueen responded, “This is the second time I have raised this issue; I raised it 12 months ago and now we’re talking about another two or three months…My fear is that if somebody went into that river they couldn’t be retrieved because the wall is so high. We are waiting for an accident to happen. The wall is part of flood prevention which is excellent but it’s too high if someone was to fall in. People won’t be saved. Even if you threw in a ring, it’s a 12ft wall and they couldn’t get pulled over it. This has been going on for 12 months, when the wall was designed the ladders and chains should have been put into the design.”
Town manager Ger Dollard said a number of agencies were involved with this matter and added that the council has “put pressure on” for the audit to be carried out. He told councillors the area has not been identified by anyone as a health and safety risk, apart from the concerns of councillors raised at the meeting.
Councillor Brian Meaney described the need for the safety measures as a “very important issue”, while Councillor James Breen added, “Measures should be put in to rectify this.” Councillor Meaney, chairman of the meeting, suggested that the views of Irish Water Safety be sought.

 

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