THE sinking of a boat in the wash at Cunnamore Pier has led Cllr George Gill to call for it to be made safe for inshore fishermen, writes Jackie Keogh.

At a meeting of the West Cork Municipal District, the Fianna Fáil councillor said the issue has gone beyond the need for planned maintenance.

He said it needs a complete upgrade so that inshore fishermen, and other users, have the shelter and safety they deserve.

He acknowledged remarks by the county engineer, Brendan Meagher, that a draft design for a floating breakwater at Cunnamore Pier had been completed.

The engineer told the members that the local authority is currently re-examining the proposal's feasibility, cost and funding.

But Cllr Gill pointed out that the design work was carried out in 2024. And he suggested it was time to implement the plan so people could safely tie up their boats.

‘They are looking for something more substantial than a floating breakwater when funding allows,’ Cllr Gill stated.

Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG) said a number of boats have been damaged, leaving fishermen to count the cost, while Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind) said: ‘We should be doing everything in our power to help our inshore fishermen because they're nearly an endangered species.’