Sign banning jet skis from Inishowen beach removed

A sign prohibiting jet skis from a popular Inishowen beach has been removed just weeks after it was erected.

Signs were erected by Donegal County Council at Sweet Nellie’s beach near Greencastle and Glenburnie beach near Moville in May after a call by local councillor Martin Farren who has warned of the potential dangers of the use of jet skis at the beaches, which are popular with families and bathers.

The Labour councillor said the call for the signs to be erected was reflecting the views of locals who were concerned about the dangers of jet skis following a serious accident in 2010 when a teenage girl was injured when the jet ski she was operating struck rocks at Glenburnie beach.

He said the sign at Sweet Nellie’s was removed in recent days and he has asked the council to replace it.

“I spoke to the council and I was told it was very well put it in and it would have taken a lot of effort to take it away. It will be replaced and I ask people to respect the sign there.”

Cllr Farren said jet ski users are being asked to use the slipways at Moville and Greencastle piers to launch their craft and to stay 300 metres offshore.

“They should not be coming into the shoreline, especially in an area where you have visitors and local people and young families. I have nothing against jet skis, but they should use the proper facilities. I am asking people to be responsible and not to launch there.”

Cllr Farren said he was disappointed that the sign was taken away.

“I am disappointed that anyone should do that and hopefully it's a one-off incident and it won’t happen again and I am asking people to respect it and not to interfere with it really.”