Cork County Council engineers are to re-inspect a longstanding viewing area overlooking the entrance to Youghal harbour as “a matter of urgency.” The area, at Moll Goggins Corner, was closed off as a precaution following an earlier inspection last October. That report indicated “no immediate danger” of the structure collapsing.

Report: Christy Parker/Photo: Michael Hussey(YoughalOnline.com)

However, since then the situation has “deteriorated dramatically,” according to Youghal and Cork County Councillor Barbara Murray, who brought the decline to the attention of the County Council. The viewing is sited over rocks that lead onto the beach, from where Cllr Murray noticed the increased erosion while walking her dog. “Its quite frightening to view it from that angle and my big fear would be that it would collapse and take some of the footpath and roadway with it,” she said.

Senior Engineer for Roads at Cork County Council, Pat O’Mahoney says engineers should be on site “within a few weeks.” He suspects “surface water from somewhere,” following persistent heavy rain and prolonged frost over the winter caused the deterioration. He says, “I do not believe the roadway is presently threatened but we will look at all aspects of the situation. I’d expect it to be resolved in good time for the holiday season.”

Mr. O’Mahoney concedes that funding may be an issue in alleviating the problem, but believes, “we’ll have to find it somewhere if need be.”

Fifty metres away, another extended viewing area has been closed off for some years. Mr. O’Mahoney says this incidence is not attributable to erosion. “It’s a front beam that had corroded badly but we’ll treat it in due course,” he says.
Click on image to see the collapse of Moll Goggin’s viewing platform.