Waves of protest over Kilkee diving boards removal

Delays securing safety signs and possible insurance implications could result in the Kilkee diving boards remaining out of use indefinitely. If the boards are not restored by next Monday, Kilkee Town Council will hold an emergency meeting on the issue next Tuesday at 8pm in Kilkee library.
At last Monday’s monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council, acting town manager Nora Kaye was unable to tell councillors when the diving boards would be put back in place at Newfoundout in the West End.
They were removed on Wednesday, June 9 for health and safety reasons before being temporarily restored for the duration of an Irish Water Safety risk assessment report, which was made available last Thursday. Amongst the report’s recommendations, which was carried out by Irish Water Safety volunteer Martin O’Sullivan, it is suggested that signs at Newfoundout be updated, a handrail be put in place between the upper and lower diving boards and that a depth measure should be erected near the steps leading down to the diving boards.
The 41-page report also stated that the ladder at the new pier in Kilkee must be replaced.
This week’s meeting heard that if the signs were put in place and insurance concerns addressed, the diving boards could be restored almost immediately.
However, Nora Kaye stressed that she could not say when the signs will be available although they have been ordered by Clare County Council.
“It’s not a case of going in, ordering signs and getting them today. Everything we can do is being done,” Ms Kaye assured town councillors and members of the public, who attended the meeting.
“I know that if I need a sign done, I can get it done in two days. Surely, you’d have the respect for this town council to come in here with a time frame,” Fine Gael town councillor Elaine Haugh Hayes, who is a businessperson in the town, said to Ms Kaye.
On the insurance issue, Nora Kaye explained that Irish Public Bodies, who provide insurance cover to Clare County Council for the diving boards and ladders, have asked to be kept informed.
“They have asked me to confirm if recommendations are put in place,” the acting town manager explained.
Later in the debate Ms Kaye told Councillor Paddy Collins that it wasn’t correct to suggest that once the signs are acquired the diving boards will be returned immediately.
“It’s not fair to say councillor, that when the signs go up, everything else is in place,” she stated.
“There’s no reason why those boards can’t be up by Friday,” Councillor Collins replied.
“I’m not giving that commitment,” Ms Kaye responded.
Fianna Fáil town councillor Claire Haugh asked why the county council did not examine the safety of the diving boards and ladders during the off-season.
“Why wasn’t that check done last February?” she queried. “Whoever is responsible for that should hold up their hand. It should have been done months ago,” Councillor Haugh added.
Clare County Council water safety development officer Liam Griffin said that, in his view, if the signs referred to were erected, the diving boards could be put back in place. However, he pointed out that some signs located at the West End had been vandalised recently.
“Sometimes people behave badly when they feel they have no say,” Councillor Lily Marrinan-Sullivan said, before stating that three families had cancelled holidays in Kilkee due to the absence of the diving boards, which have been in place for 70 years. This comment was met with a round of a applause from the public gallery in Kilkee library.
“Wouldn’t it be better if they could dive safely off the diving boards,” Liam Griffin retorted.
The council agreed to host an emergency meeting next Tuesday evening if the issue has not been resolved in the interim.
The risk assessment was carried out on June 15 and 16. It is valid until June 2013.