Ballyconnell demands fencing for dangerous canal stretch

The chairperson of the Ballyconnell Town Development Committee, Aideen Tobin, told The Anglo-Celt that in the light of a number of tragedies on the canal in recent times, the people of Ballyconnell want railings erected at danger spots along the water. "As concerned citizens of the town and area we have brought this matter to the attention of Waterways Ireland and Cavan County Council and we have called on them to have a fence erected. We are still awaiting official responses from both the County Council and Waterways Ireland," said Aideen. She pointed out that the unprotected danger areas on the canal banks are directly facing entries that lead from the Main Street. When asked if funding was not forthcoming in these recessionary times from either of those bodies, would the people of the town consider fundraising to erect the fences; Aideen replied: "We probably would go down that route but at the moment we feel that it is up to Waterways Ireland and the County Council to secure the areas in question along the canal." Committee member Ann Crowe said that if they were pushed into fundraising, she had no doubt that the community of Ballyconnell would get behind the initiative. "That is how deeply concerned the community are about the lack of barriers along the canal on the town side of the canal," added Ann. She pointed out that parents can't allow their children down around the canal unsupervised. Windy day It is a very dangerous place on a windy day as a person could be blown into the canal and people with drink taken walking down the steep entries to the water could inadvertently end up in the canal. Another town development committee member Susan McVitty said she would like to see both Waterways Ireland and Cavan County Council giving funds towards this project. "We hope that they will reply to our letters soon." Local councillors Peter McVitty (FG), Sean Smith (FF) and Damian Brady (SF) are continuing to make representations in relation to this issue and hope that it will be sorted sooner rather than later.