'Eyesore': Council asked to remove Ramelton shipwreck

Donegal County Council has started initial enquiries into the removal of a shipwreck in Ramelton.

The fishing boat has been lying abandoned in the quay on the River Lennon for around 15 years.

Councillor Pauric McGarvey has said that local people have described the boat as an eyesore, and he agrees with their comments.

"The River Lennon itself is an area of conservation and Ramelton is a heritage town, and I agree with people saying it's an eyesore," Councillor McGarvey told Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.

Councillor McGarvey said that this is not the first time that the issue was raised.

He said the boat has degraded so badly that it is 'in bits' and should be removed for safety and to improve the look of the area.

The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993, Section 52 (1), (3) and (4) provides powers to the Local Authority to remove, and dispose of wrecks where the authority believes that the wreck poses a threat to navigation or to the marine environment. In addition, the owners of such vessels are responsible for any costs arising from the above actions under Section 53.

Councillor McGarvey said that the council should use their authority to remove the boat and recover the costs. He welcomed the response from the Council which said that steps are already being taken to investigate the matter.

A spokesperson for the Council said that a number of different agencies and stakeholders need to be consulted regarding any removal of the boat.

"Initial enquiries have begun, and we await feedback on options, a budget may also need to be identified if it is the Council who will remove the boat," the response said.