Resolving Encroachments

Waterways Ireland is the Navigation Authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development & restoration of 1,100 km of inland navigable waterways.

The placing or erecting of a structure such as a marina, jetty, laneway or building, by a third party, on a Waterways Ireland navigation or property requires permission.  Doing so without Waterways Ireland’s permission may be deemed an encroachment, which is defined as “an illegal intrusion on a property, roadway or navigable waterway, with or without obstruction”.

Almost 450 jetties, marinas and other objects have been placed on the River Shannon alone, without permission from Waterways Ireland or its predecessors.  These developments include small private jetties and large scale commercial marinas.

A specialist Encroachments Team in Waterways Ireland is reviewing and investigating all potential encroachments, with a view to bringing them to resolution. 

Placing a structure on or along Waterways Ireland’s property or waterways.
The placing or erecting of temporary or permanent structures such as jetties, marinas, slipways etc on or along Waterways Ireland’s navigations and property is not permitted without permission from Waterways Ireland. Planning permission from the Local Authority may also be required. 

Existing structures on or along Waterways Ireland’s navigation or property.
The Encroachments Team will work with adjacent property owners who may have an encroachment; each case will be individually assessed. Resolution may take the form of a license, lease, easement, disposal or re-instatement. In instances where an encroachment is regularised there may be a charge.  

If you, or a previous landowner, have encroached on a Waterways Ireland navigation or property, or are unsure if you / they have done so - please contact the Encroachments Team to ascertain if an encroachment has occurred, and how to comply with the law.  

Extending or altering an existing structure which has permission.
If you are considering extending or altering an existing structure on a Waterways Ireland navigation or property, or if your plans could impact a Waterways Ireland navigation, contact the Encroachments Team to discuss your plans and the documentation required for an assessment.  

Contacting Waterways Ireland 
The Encroachments Team can be contacted by email or post; contact details below. 

Email: property@waterwaysireland.org

Postal Address: 

Encroachment Team
Waterways Ireland 
2 Sligo Rd
Enniskillen
BT74 7JY

Legislative Basis:

Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws 1992

Canals Act, 1988 (Bye-Laws), 1988