Family of Limerick EuroMillions winner object to controversial Dublin water plan

THE daughter-in-law of EuroMillions winner Dolores McNamara says plans to divert water from the River Shannon to Dublin may threaten the “viability” of her luxury marina business.

Michelle McNamara is married to Gary McNamara, son of the Garryowen part-time cleaner who scooped €115m in 2005.
She is among dozens opposing Uisce Éireann’s proposal to transfer Shannon water to the greater Dublin area.

Along with her husband, she owns and operates Lough Derg Marina, on one of the most picturesque areas of the river. They purchased the facility in 2015 and have reportedly spent €3m developing it since then.

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Billed as one of the most prestigious marinas on the island of Ireland, the facility offers 150 serviced berths for “exclusive luxury mooring”, providing 24-hour unrestricted access to Lough Derg.

In a “formal and substantive” objection to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which is considering Uisce Eireann’s planning application, Ms McNamara warned the success of her site could be threatened by the plan to redirect water from the River Shannon to service residents in the capital.

“The viability of my marina and associated commercial activity is wholly dependent on stable and predictable downstream water levels, safe navigation levels, and the maintenance of ecological integrity within the River Shannon system,” wrote Ms McNamara, who described herself as “the owner and operator” of Lough Derg Marina in Ballina, Co Tipperary.

“Any alteration to the flow regime, particularly during low-flow or drought conditions presents direct and foreseeable operational, financial, and environmental risk,” Ms McNamara added.

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She believes the proposal does not demonstrate compliance with the European requirements to prevent deterioration of water status, and an obligation to “protect existing lawful economic activity”.

“The River Shannon is not a surplus or unused resource available for risk free abstraction.”

“It supports established marine, tourism, hospitality and recreational enterprises that are lawful, longstanding and economically significant to rural communities,” the businesswoman wrote in her objection.

“Any reduction in navigable depth, increased variability in water levels, degradation of water quality, or ecological deterioration would materially interfere with existing economic activity,” she added in the objection.

She called for permission to be refused “unless and until” guarantees are put in place.

An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to make a decision on the plans by June.

There has been significant opposition to the plans to pump water in Limerick, with campaigners saying it will damage local fish stocks, lead to lower water levels, particularly during drought periods, as well as a broader concern over Dublin benefitting at the expense of other regions.

Uisce Éireann has said the Dublin area is close to its limits, with the capital relying too heavily on the River Liffey, which they claim operates near capacity.

The water utility says the project is a key part of the 25-year national water supply strategy.

It will benefit Ireland's eastern and midlands region with the capacity to address the water supply needs for up to half this populations.

Water levels at Lough Derg and Parteen Basin will remain in the control of the ESB and the proposed abstraction will not affect the normal operating water levels, Uisce Eireann says.

They add modelling shows that the abstraction is sustainable, will have a neutral effect on water quality, and there will not be a visible day to day difference for any water users.

Gary and Michelle McNamara have a number of business interests across the region.

Notably, at the moment, the pair are seeking planning permission to housing for students and full-time residents in Castletroy.