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Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
'Extraordinary public effort' as 7,500 people sign petition against mussel farm in Kinsale
More than 7,000 people have backed what campaigners say is the largest aquaculture appeal the country has ever seen, as the fight against a controversial mussel farm project in Cork continues. Campaigners opposing the mussel farm proposed for Woodstown Bay in Kinsale Harbour have submitted an unprecedented 147 formal appeals to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB), representing the voices of more than 7,500 individuals. The Department of Agriculture granted a licence in May to Waterford-based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd, for a mussel farm across some 23-hectares next to Dock Beach, in an area used by swimmers, kayakers, sailors and crab fishers. A delegation of campaigners delivered a petition signed by more than 7,000 people to the department this week, calling for it to reverse its decision to grant the licence. Minister of state at the Department of the Marine Timmy Dooley accepted the petition and expressed an interest in exploring shorter licensing periods in future, but campaigners said he noted he would be unlikely to overturn a decision made by ALAB for legal reasons, even in the face of strong public opposition. A large turnout on Dock beach and flotilla of boats in the waters nearby protesting about the proposed mussel farm in Kinsale harbour last month. Picture: Eddie O'Hare The 147 appeals have been submitted to ALAB from individuals, marine users, environmental groups, and local organisations. One appeal includes a petition of 6,200 names, while others were submitted by groups representing more than 200 members each. The cost of appeal fees alone has exceeded €25,000, with many appeals including professional input, and some taking six weeks to complete. However, there is growing concern ALAB may treat them as a single objection, rolling them into one file. 'This process involved extraordinary public effort," said Marc O'Riain of Kinsale Harbour Watch. "To flatten it into a single case would not only diminish the voices of thousands but seriously misrepresent the scale of opposition." Campaigners argue this would undermine the democratic process, and risk breaching the Aarhus Convention — the international agreement, ratified by the EU, that guarantees the public's right to meaningful participation in environmental decision-making. They have called on ALAB to recognise the integrity of each submission, acknowledge the volume of public concern, and hold a formal oral hearing. 'We remain hopeful that the appeals process will deliver a fair outcome. But if necessary, we are prepared to pursue a judicial review to protect Kinsale Harbour,' he said.
Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tributes paid to Waterford cyclist who died on Tour de France trip
Tributes are being paid to a cyclist from Co Waterford who died in France on Monday. Tomás Walsh, 25, was a member of the Comeragh Cycling Club and had been in the country for the Tour de France. The club led the tributes, saying they are shattered by the news. "It is with great sadness that we have learned that our clubmate and friend young Tomás Walsh has lost his life in France," said a statement. "We're truly shattered by this news and extend our sincerest condolences to all his family and friends." Waterford-based bike shop Altitude said Tomás "was one of a golden group of talented cyclists who happened to converge through their membership of Comeragh Cycling Club" where "great friendships were formed". "His death is deeply felt by everyone here and we extend our deepest sympathy to Bernie and Frank and to Tomás' sisters and his family and friends." Local side Passage Hurling Club, where Tomás was a juvenile player, also expressed "deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this difficult time". It has been reported that Tomás was electrocuted in a Paris Metro station on Monday morning. Funeral details have yet to be announced.
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Former Kilkenny hurler Doherty on local terrain in Raven's Rock Rally
Motorsport The biennial national rally championship calendar, introduced in 2022, brings some interesting situations, such as the progress of Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty, the current leader of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship that reaches its midpoint with Sunday's Waterford-based Raven's Rock Rally. Two years ago, campaigning a Mk. 2 Ford Escort, Doherty finished the penultimate stage of "The Rock" leading the Modified category and an impressive seventh overall. However, a final-stage puncture cost him the category win as he finished ninth overall. From one of the top exponents in the rear-wheel drive section, the former Kilkenny minor hurler is now equally adept in four-wheel drive category where he steers the Skoda Fabia R5 he debuted at the end of that same season. With his home county involved in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Tipperary, Doherty will be forgiven for the desire to check updates in between the rally stages where he will showcase his talent with equal aplomb. "Yes, it's (switch to Skoda) gone well but you are always looking for that bit extra to push on and hopefully we (with co-driver John Murphy) will get a better overall finish than two years ago." The terrain (with stages in County Kilkenny), while not overly familiar to Doherty, "is local in general terms." Many drivers can get caught out on their local stages, something that Doherty understands. "Where you know roads, especially on the fast stuff, it's easy to interpret them for other sections. Our pacenotes will be very important on Sunday. On the one-day events, it's all go from the start, you can't afford to wait and see what happens." Doherty will have all his familiar rivals like Monaghan's Josh Moffett, who, like a few others, will benefit from the three days seat time Donegal. Doherty hasn't competed since the last Triton round in Cavan where things didn't go according to plan when he finished fifth. He still leads the series - three points ahead of Sam Moffett, with Josh (Moffett) seven points further behind the third. Others is search of valuable points are Derry's Desi Henry, who will pilot a Ford Fiesta Rally2 as his Citroen C3 Rally2 is being re-fettled, Declan and Michael Boyle in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars, Tyrone's Jason Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin (Citroen C3 Rally2). The top ten also features Clonakilty's David Guest (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Paul Barrett (Citroen C3 Rally2) while akin to Guest, Enniskerry's Daniel Barry (VW Polo GTi R5), Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy (Citroen C3 Rally2) and Dunmanway's Jason McSweeney (Skoda Fabia R5) will be without the shackles of the national championship. The top contenders in the rear wheel drive category are Wexford's James Stafford and the Escorts of Monaghan's Johno Doogan and Cavan's Chris Armstrong. The first stage starts at 10.15am. Meanwhile, as the European Rally Championship returns to sealed surfaces with the Rally di Roma in the Eternal City, Kesh driver Jon Armstrong reckons he can push for more podiums following his third place in the recent Rally Poland, his first podium of the current ERC season. The M-Sport Ford WRT driver said, 'It definitely makes it more achievable to have a good result now. We've had good pace all year but no result. We could have been in a good position in the championship now because we've been faster than the guys on top on most rallies. It's a shame but this is how it goes sometimes." Championship leader Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) holds a 16-point lead over Mads Ostberg (Citroen C3 Rally2). Following this (Friday) evening's Colosseum 1.3km super special stage there are six stages tomorrow and six more on Sunday. The strong Irish contingent includes Philip Allen (Skoda Fabia Rally2), Eamonn Boland (Fiesta Rally2) and Billy Coleman award winner Craig Rahill (Peugeot 208 Rally4). Elsewhere, the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship continues tomorrow with the Loughgall Stages Rally with double event winner Carndonagh's Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5) heading the entry from Armagh pair Damien Toner (Ford Escort) and Jason Black (Toyota Starlet).
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
US tech giant IBM to create 75 engineering jobs in Waterford
The new R&D operation in Waterford is conducting cutting-edge research for the IBM Z Mainframe, working in close collaboration with IBM's research and development teams across the world. The IBM Mainframe is a high-performance computer system designed for large-scale computing tasks, known for its reliability, scalability, and security in enterprise environments in particular financial transactions. Follow Independent Waterford on Facebook Waterford-based Health Minister Mary Butler explained more about IBM's plans. 'This operation is expected to grow to up to 75 new engineers over the next three years,' said Minister Butler. 'The IBM team will be collocated with Red Hat, their subsidiary in Waterford. The investment is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland. IBM assessed multiple locations in Ireland including Dublin and Cork for recent major investment before deciding on Waterford. 'To ensure the success of the site, IBM have advised that they are working in close partnership with the South East Technological University (SETU) on hiring and multiple training programmes with the support of IDA Ireland. 'The company have stated that their site in Waterford will be a significant contributor to the technology ecosystem in the south east region through its cutting edge research and highly skilled workforce. 'While meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, IDA executive, Ronan Lenihan and Ross Mauri, general manager, IBM Z Infrastructure, I thanked them for their confidence in Waterford and we spoke about the wonderful work-life balance the local work force enjoys in a county uniquely located between the sea and the mountains, offering wonderful natural amenities on their doorstep. 'It was clear that IBM and the IDA clearly value Waterford as a location for investment and they have declared a huge vote of confidence in our county and its highly skilled workforce with these recent announcements. Hopefully the level of investment we are seeing will prompt further job announcements for Waterford in the near future.' Fine Gael TD and junior minister John Cummins met with IBM Ireland general manager Nathan Cullen along with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke in recent days to discuss job creation in the south east. In addition to the expansion of research and development functions in Waterford, IBM are collaborating with the South East Technological University to develop a technical skills ecosystem, with a focus on mainframes and Linux, said Deputy Cummins. 'The Waterford software engineers will closely collaborate with IBM's research and development teams around the world, from designing processors and firmware to software development and advancing the Linux operating system. 'In recent days I met with IBM about their plans for job creation here in Waterford and I heard first-hand about the success the company is having in the county. 'This investment is a strong endorsement of the south east region's growing reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology and is a hugely positive development which underscores Ireland and Waterford's attractiveness as a location for businesses to invest in and to expand R&D operations. 'More jobs and further collaboration with SETU will have a positive knock-on effect for our communities, local businesses, education and attracts further investment in the south east. 'This is a really exciting opportunity and I want to commend IBM, IDA Ireland and Minister Burke for their work to deliver these new high-quality jobs I am looking forward to further announcements in the time ahead,' added Deputy Cummins.
Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Industrial-scale Mussel farm is ‘completely incompatible' with Kinsale Harbour, campaigners say
Campaigners are calling on the minister for agriculture and the marine to revoke a licence for a 23 hectare industrial-scale mussel farm in Kinsale Harbour, directly in front of the popular Dock Beach. Health, environmental, and economic concerns for the locality have been raised, along with fears that it may jeopardise access to one of the town's most popular beaches and surrounding water used for swimming, kayaking and sailing. The licence should be revoked pending a full Environmental Impact Assessment, a marine navigation risk study, a cultural heritage survey, and a social and economic impact analysis, campaigners say. A licence was granted in May to Waterford-based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd for bottom-culture mussel farming using dredging across a zone long used by swimmers, kayakers, sailors, and crab fishers. No marine safety or navigational impact assessment has been conducted, campaigners say. The proximity to a wastewater treatment facility lacking UV disinfection further raises serious sanitary concerns under EU directives, they say. They are appealing for Minister Martin Heydon to revoke the licence, which they say was granted on highly flawed grounds. The window for appeals closes this week. And while the industrial mussel farm is expected to create some six new jobs, the town is heavily reliant on its €70m annual tourism economy, which campaigners say the mussel farm may jeopardise. Appeals have been submitted to the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB), citing legal, ecological, economic, and procedural grounds. The licence should be revoked pending a full Environmental Impact Assessment, a marine navigation risk study, a cultural heritage survey, and a social and economic impact analysis, campaigners say. Picture: Eddie O'Hare 'This farm is completely incompatible with the heritage, ecology, and economy of Kinsale Harbour,' said local environmental advocate Dr Marc Ó Riain. 'We're asking minister Heydon to exercise his authority to revoke this licence in the public interest.' Under Section 7.3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the Minister may revoke a licence if it is deemed contrary to the public interest — a clause now being urgently invoked by campaigners. Protected seagrass beds, a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive which play a vital role in marine biodiversity and carbon capture, have been found recently in the proposed dredging area but this was not reflected in the original environmental screening, they say. 'There was no Environmental Impact Assessment. The data relied on is over six years old,' said one appeal letter submitted to ALAB. 'This violates the precautionary principle of EU law.' The site is also adjacent to the 17th-century James Fort, a designated national monument, and the remains of a historic blockhouse at the mouth of the Bandon River. No underwater archaeological survey was undertaken — a 'serious procedural omission' according to one submission, potentially placing unrecorded heritage at risk. The area is one of Ireland's busiest mixed-use harbours, with sailing schools, kayak tours, angling trips, and marine wildlife excursions operating daily. The site overlaps traditional crab pot grounds, and no alternative fishing areas or mitigation measures have been proposed, campaigners say. Appeals also raised the danger of mussel larvae clogging raw water intakes on leisure and commercial vessels — a hazard which can cause overheating and engine failure. A decision from the Appeals Board is expected later this year. Read More Watch: Mussel Farm protest in Kinsale Harbour
