Sections of the quays to be fenced off to prevent Bank Holiday gatherings
This might be a very controversial move.
The Port of Cork has announced that it will be fencing off parts of its quays ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Last weekend, the quays were among several city centre sites popular with revellers enjoying the good weather.
Kennedy Quay, operated by the port, has been a popular outdoor gathering spot throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and Gardaí have repeatedly attended the scene to move people along.
The Port of Cork will fence off the following areas:
• Around any berthed commercial vessels.
• Around plant or Port equipment generally stored on the quayside.
• Around cargo stored on the quays.
In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Port of Cork said: “The fencing will be erected this week, ahead of the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
“The Port of Cork has raised our concerns with local publicans in the area and the port has informed them of the fencing that will be put in place.
“The Port of Cork would like to remind the public that the City Quays is a 24/7 working Port area with commercial ships, plant and other equipment and HGV traffic in operation. The public are advised not to congregate in this area.” Fencing is expected to be erected this week.
‘Wrong approach’
Some have criticised the proposal, including Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, who wrote: “This is so the wrong approach. The successful development of Cork Docklands depends on these quaysides being re-invented as public space. Reacting like does the opposite.”
The weather for the bank holiday weekend is expected to be relatively bright and dry, with only light rain and drizzle predicted amid temperatures in the mid-to-high teens.
