More barriers on Grand Canal possible – Waterways Ireland

Waterways Ireland has said that it will erect further fencing along the Grand Canal in Dublin if needed, according to its chief executive.

John McDonagh told the Dáil Commitee of Public Accounts (PAC) that the organisation itself chose to put up the barriers along the canal for two reasons – “public health” and “securing their property”.

He was responding to questions from the committee chair, Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley.

Mr McDonagh said that Waterways Ireland – which is responsible for the Grand Canal – was not contracted by any other body to do so, adding that “we reached out to other agencies because we wanted to put in place a form that involved multi-agencies”.

The organisation has had to extend the fencing “up to 2km,” he noted.

“Would you move it again, if it goes 4km or 5km?” Deputy Stanley asked.

“If that happens, we will,” Mr McDonagh replied.

He said the decision to erect barriers was taken “in early May” without consulting the Government.

“We weren’t contacted by IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) to put in fencing arrangements”.

Mr McDonagh added that he has not been contacted by Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman or any of his officials on the matter.

After three or four tent removals it became clear that a solution was needed to “stop tents moving from one location to another,” he told Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor.

It is a “very unsightly short-term solution,” Mr McDonagh accepted, adding that “it doesn’t look great”.

Mr O’Connor said it is “astonishing” that the minister did not contact Waterways Ireland.

The organisation’s Operations Controller, Eanna Rowe, said that it has removed more than 330 tents from the Grand Canal area over the last five weeks.

“Our primary concern is health and safety,” he said, adding that the encampments were “dangerous”.

Mr Rowe said that Waterways Ireland spoke to those handing out the tents and “asked them not to camp on our property”.

Four options, he said, were considered for the Grand Canal banks:

1. Remove fencing and “allow free access”.
2. Remove fencing and “bring in 24-hour patrolling”.
3. Leave the fencing in place “in the longer term until the situation is resolved”.
4. Accelerate the “landscaping and biodiversity programme along our city canals so we can remove the fencing as that landscaping is happening”.

Last week, Waterways Ireland said the barriers could remain in place until October.

Yesterday, the Labour Party leader accused the Government of engaging in deliberate vandalism along the Grand Canal.

Ivana Bacik told the Dáil that the fencing is “visual evidence Government’s failure to provide a sufficient accommodation for those who’ve come here seeking shelter from war and persecution”.