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And it’s been protests, accusations, counter-accusations, online
This morning, it was initially a lock-out, with the new harbour pier gates firmly shut, fishermen Ivan Toole and Tim Storey still managing to make their way along the pier and onto their boats.
So, same ship, different day.
Greystones harbour FRI28OCT22
s any Greystonian over 5 will tell you, the fishermen’s blues down at 
Greystones harbour has been going on for over a decade now.
s any Greystonian over 5 will tell you, the fishermen’s blues down at 
Greystones harbour has been going on for over a decade now.All stemming from the fact that, back in 2008, a berthing spot for the fishermen in the new marina had somehow disappeared from the plans at the 11th hour.
And it’s been protests, accusations, counter-accusations, online 
spats, court cases, lockouts and lie-ins ever since. Which you can explore at your leisure right here.
spatsThis morning, it was initially a lock-out, with the new harbour pier gates firmly shut, fishermen Ivan Toole and Tim Storey still managing to make their way along the pier and onto their boats. 
It was upon returning that the latter discovered he was now locked in. The Gardaí were called, and by 1pm, Tim was up at the station, giving his version of events.
It was upon returning that the latter discovered he was now locked in. The Gardaí were called, and by 1pm, Tim was up at the station, giving his version of events.We reached out to harbour master Bernard Gallagher this afternoon for his take on proceedings, and he told us to check the Wicklow County Council Facebook page. Which stated that the gates had been closed ‘in the interest of public health and safety’. ‘That is the only issue,’ Gallagher stated to us. ‘PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. NOTHING More.’
From what we can piece together (with legal challenges afoot, people are reluctant to go on the record), the recent August court case appeared to have settled this long-running, highly-emotive stand-off, with the fishermen subsequently allowed access to the marina during three of the summer months (at €900 a month), and the harbour for the other nine.
Only trouble was, we’re told, berthing proved to be a little difficult for Ivan and Storey. The cleats had been mysteriously removed, leaving only the ladders for mooring – harbour master Bernard Gallagher quickly informing the fishermen that they weren’t allowed to use said ladders.
Ivan Toole
All of which means both parties could be facing one another again in the High Court, with the fishermen’s day in court with Wicklow County Council (who signed a 30-year private-public partnership on the new marina with developer SISK in a private-public partnership) also due later this year.
1 comment
I would like to know what ‘in the interest of public safety ‘ actually means with the closing again of the North pier. Considering it was open for the past few years when the safety of walkers mattered not a bit. Now in order to make it difficult for the fishermen to access their boats suddenly the public’s safety becomes an issue. Could I ask the WCC to erect some safe railings around the pier then the public could access the pier without the need for it to be locked. … But… I guess this will never happen because thst would mean the fishermen could access their boats. IT IS AN OUTRAGE AND A SCANDAL. Do you think we are all fools. The interests of wealth, power and control being prioritised over the rights of fishermen and the general public simply stinks to high heaven. Prove me wrong. Open the gates!!!