CLAIMS THAT WEIR ROCK PASS WILL NOT AFFECT ROWING CLUB
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board are convinced that the addition of a rock pass at Fermoy will not affect the rowing club or any other group to a degree that they would have to close down.
“The addition of a fish pass will mean that the rowing club will have a shorter stop line, that is all. The water level will drop a maximum of five inches no more and we have explained this to all the groups in the town many times.
"The rock pass will be positioned at the right hand corner of the upstream bank of the river, the weir at the downstream side will remain as will part of the weir upstream to the point of the current fish pass. This will not as has been reported make the water levels drop to such a degree that the rowing club or the special needs boat will no longer be able to operate,” Brian Sheerin from the fishery board told The Avondhu.
Mr Sheerin also pointed out the rowing club is aware of the plans for the rock pass.
“We made presentations to the people of Fermoy a few years ago in which we outlined the design and the affects the rock pass would have on the water levels. While the levels would drop with the addition of a rock pass this would not cause the rowing club to close,” Mr Sheehan said.
However, Donal O’Keeffe of Fermoy Rowing Club is not convinced that the Southern Fishery Board and Mr Sheerin’s proposed fish pass will do all that has been reported.
“Mr Sheerin featured prominently at a shambolic presentation in Fermoy over two years ago. At the same meeting officials from the department presented a myriad of contradicting measurements for the rock pass. Everything from a five inch to a three feet drop in water level has been predicted. I would challenge Mr. Sheerin to come to Fermoy and see just what a drop of 5 inches would mean to the club,” Donal O’Keeffe told The Avondhu.
Deputy Ned O’Keeffe is convinced that the weir will, in fact, be repaired.
“It’s not a forgone conclusion that the weir will be removed and the rock pass put in place. I continue to lobby the minister and I know that my party colleagues, Michael Ahern TD and Cllrs Olive Corcoran and Colette Dolan-Moore are also working hard to secure the necessary funds to save the weir in Fermoy,” Mr O’Keeffe told The Avondhu
Published:
Thursday 3rd June 6:28pm
