8th January 2025
Latest update relating to the Grand Canal in Dublin
Waterways Ireland has been seriously concerned for the safety and health of people staying in tents by the canal.
Erecting temporary barriers along the canal was not something that Waterways Ireland had ever envisioned doing; it was done as a mitigation measure, primarily for reasons of health and safety, and public health, following large-scale illegal encampments on the canal banks. Waterways Ireland removed sections of temporary fencing on 25th September, 2nd October, 16th October, 24th October, and 2nd November. The last barriers were removed on 4th December 2024.
Waterways Ireland introduced (from 10th September 2024) enhanced monitoring, whereby external resources have been contracted to augment Waterways Ireland staff by patrolling the area on a 24 hour basis, to ensure health and safety and public health risks remain mitigated, to notify Gardai of any issues in real time, to ascertain the pattern of when and how many encampments are taking place, and to advise any arrivals of the prohibition on staying in tents by the canal along with the associated health and safety and public health risks. This remains a pilot programme which will be kept under review.
The organisation has met with representatives of local residents groups to listen to their concerns and to discuss how we might improve the amenity of the canal.
We understand the interest in Waterways Ireland’s plans for this section of the Grand Canal and are committed to keeping people up to date. To this end, we will publish updates here on our website on a regular basis.