Fishermen concerned over future following quay sale

Fishermen who have lost their Supreme Court appeal against the sale of a section of quay where they dock and land their catches have expressed concern about their livelihoods.

This follows the court’s decision to let the Port of Waterford Company sell the North Quays to a property developer.

Seamus O’Flaherty of OF Fishing, the firm which took the appeal, indicated that there were huge implications arising from the decision.

“We have a number of big boats which can only safely use Waterford. We will now be forced to try to land at Kilmore Quay which is far more dangerous,” he said.

“This result has not just put the industry at risk. It will also ultimately put more lives at risk as we try to negotiate Kilmore.”
The court ruled that no user of the area could interfere with the sale of the site. It also turned down the fishermen’s claim that they could land catches there, lie down there in bad weather and maintain and repair their boats and nets in the area. Fishermen’s rights are not threatened by the sale.

A spokesman for the Port of Waterford Company said that the firm is delighted at the outcome.
“The sale of the North Quays will allow the port, which is a key piece of regional and national economic infrastructure, to develop further,” he said.