The tragic scene at Buncrana Pier. (North West Newspix)
Donegal County Council has confirmed it is carrying out a review of its 150 piers in the wake of the Buncrana drowning tragedy.
In a statement released to Donegal Daily, the council said it wishes that such a tragedy will never happen again.
And it confirmed that a full investigation into the specific incidents surrounding the Buncrana tragedy, which claimed the lives of five members of one family, is underway.
A spokesman said “The incident at Buncrana Slipway on the night of 20 March resulted in the tragic loss of five lives when the family vehicle entered the water from the slipway. Piers and slipways are generally public places and open to the public.
“The interface between the dry land and the sea with all the variations that nature brings including water depths, tides, swells and currents, wave forces, seaweed and debris can make them a high risk location.
“The Council would wish that such a tragedy would not happen again. The Council have gathered some of the facts surrounding this unfortunate tragedy in Buncrana and that process is continuing. As the details become known and are fully considered, the Council will review them and determine if any specific measures need to be taken.”
The statement said that this review will be carried out in relation to ALL piers and slipways across Donegal.
It also plans to review the status of the gate leading to the Buncrana slipway which has been closed since the tragedy in March.
“The Council will also have regard to the findings from the Buncrana incident as they might relate to other piers and harbours and an initial process to do that is underway. The Council have roughly 150 piers of varying sizes and uses around its coastline.”
Meanwhile the council is still examining plans to reopen a gateway to the slipway at Buncrana Pier when the Rathmullan to Buncrana Ferry recommences its service in June.
“The Council are in negotiations for the resumption of the Buncrana to Rathmullan Ferry in early June and it is expected that a decision will be taken around the reopening of the locked gate at the top of the slipway before the Ferry comes into operation. The gate had been installed originally to regulate traffic queueing for the ferry.”
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