Calls for urgent review of Leitrim canal to prevent 'further tragedy'

Leitrim County Council has been asked to call for an urgent safety review by Waterways Ireland of the basin area of the Shannon-Erne Waterway.

The call came from Cllr Gary Prior (FF) at last week’s meeting of Leitrim County Council and follows the recent death of 19-year-old Alan Creamer.

Mr Creamer’s body was taken from the canal at Kiltymoodan, Ballinamore, on August 16 last.

Mr Creamer was the fourth person to die in the canal in that area.

Cllr Prior’s motion called for Leitrim County Council to, “call for a urgent safety assessment and appropriate measures to reduce the risk of further tragedy, while maintaining the area as an important amenity.”

It outlined concerns including “poor lighting, open access from the public road, inadequate warning signage and the absence of fencing and handrails”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Prior stated: “I don’t want to add to the grief of the family of the deceased. However, this is not an isolated issue.

“I am not blaming anyone,” said Cllr Prior.

“However, we should be able to enjoy the waterways as much as safely as possible.”

Ballinamore-based Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn (FG) supported the motion.

“There should be health and safety of all areas of the canal, but we must not damage the amenity,” she stated.

Chief Executive of the council, Joseph Gilhooly, told the meeting that, “the Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland was in contact with me. Waterways Ireland see health and safety as being paramount to what they do.”

“We will support Waterways Ireland when the investigation is complete,” he added.