Calls to remove ‘dangerous’ salmon traps from the River Corrib have been reiterated this week – as emergency response teams warn of impeded rescue efforts.

City Councillor Níall McNelis said the traps – located at Queen’s Gap on the town side of Salmon Weir Bridge – meant that emergency responders could not enter the water between them and the weir.

“I have met with the Fire Service, Gardaí and the Civil Defence in recent weeks and everyone is in agreement that they need to be removed.

“I would have serious concerns with the new pedestrian bridge that is currently being put in place that more people could enter the water there and the emergency services would have their hands tied,” said Cllr McNelis.

This was because the traps, which span the width of the river, pose a serious health and safety risk to anyone in the fast-flowing waters of the Corrib.

The rusted iron structure is set on concrete pillars and there has been confusion over who owns it, but according to Cllr McNelis, it has now been established that the traps are owned by Inland Fisheries     Ireland (IFI).

“I think now is an opportune moment to deal with this long-standing issue, when the pedestrian bridge is being installed and all the health and safety audits for work to take place in that area have been carried out.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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