The owner of the Old Mud Dock said he plans to create a recreational area with a beach for public use at Long Walk.

Captain Sam Field Corbett, who self identifies as a ‘master mariner’, confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that he is planning to create the amenity at an infill section of the foreshore.

He was responding to recent articles in this newspaper, highlighting that Galway City Council had issued warning letters in relation to alleged unauthorised development at the protected structure.

Capt Corbett said the medieval dock, also known as Maggie’s Dock, was used as a dumping tip, and was part-filled with waste material in 1999.

“I have been active in trying to have the Dock cleaned out since 2006,” he said.

He stated that the dump was illegal, and in order to highlight “inaction” of the local authority in relation to it, he was planning to use the Old Mud Dock for the public’s pleasure.

“It is my intention to strip the grass top and allow a sandy beach to form for the public use, similar to Plage du Paris,” he said.

He said there are “shameful few” open spaces or parks in Galway for children.

“I also intend to encourage a plantation or allotments on this foreshore . . . during the summer another part of the site will be allocated as a free camping area,” Capt Corbett said.

He added he intended to erect signage to highlight the dump and “shameful inaction” of the City Council.

Captain Corbett has responded to the warning letter issued by the Planning Department at City Hall.

In it, he appealed for engagement from the Council, “in promoting a positive outcome for the public and the Old Dock and the true protection of this protected structure”.

As reported in this newspaper, the City Council Heritage Officer Jim Higgins inspected the site last September when he received complaints about activity at the Old Mud Dock after photographs emerged on social media. The environmental protection group, An Taisce was among the complainants.

The Council issued a warning letter last October.

Capt Corbett had previously been involved in an unsuccessful campaign to save and restore the decommissioned Aran Island ferry ‘Naomh Éanna’ for berthing at the Old Mud Dock. It was subsequently berthed at Dublin Docks, where plans to turn it into a floating restaurant did not materialise. It is now capsized and rotting.