God knows Youghal needs a lift at the moment but as far as Councillor Mary Linehan-Foley is concerned, the crack is a bit too mighty in one particular area of the town. The Fianna Fail representative was referring to breaks in the pavement when she referred to “the crack on the Lighthouse Hill” at May’s Town Council meeting –and she wasn’t laughing. “Its getting worse,” she warned.

A perusal of the area, which lies adjacent to the overhanging viewing area on the town side of the lighthouse, indeed shows a vertical fissure about four metres long. Not much room for a party, admittedly, but not a spot on which one might want to jump up and down anyway. Town engineer Paul Murray cast a professional eye over the area following the councillor’s warning and has decided that it ‘doesn’t seem to represent a structural fault.’

Nonetheless, there are those who will be aware that two viewing areas on the Moll Goggin’s side of the lighthouse are currently fenced off due to structural concerns. In one instance Cllr Barbara Murray last year drew attention to apparent cracks on the sea wall beneath one structure. Perhaps more relevantly, as Cllr Linehan Foley remarked to the council, half the Lighthouse Hill itself collapsed on one otherwise calm Sunday morning about 40 years ago. Might be as well to be ready to ‘let oneself go’ just in case the crack does take off on the hill one of these days. Youghal isn’t on the rocks……yet!

Two of Youghal’s three beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status for the summer season. Redbarn will receive its first ever blue flag and Claycastle will have its pride and joy returned after a two-year absence. The front strand however, faces a third consecutive summer without the coveted cloth flying.

The latest awards reflect the state of the beaches during they surveyed months of what passed for summer 2009. It is gratifying that such rudiment requirements as parking and toilet facilities were successfully implemented at Redbarn in particular, although many would argue that there remains plenty of scope for improvements here also. Claycastle’s parking capacity is often stretched to the limits during heat-wave occasions and the toilets are probably as efficient as such unattended structures can be expected to be.

Nationally, water samples from 131 designated bathing areas, comprising 122 seawater and nine freshwater jurisdictions, were assessed for compliance with EU standards last summer. The standard comprised two criteria: a) minimum EU mandatory values and b) stricter EU guidelines. Compliance with both achieved ‘good’ water quality status. Compliance with mandatory values only achieved ‘sufficient’ water quality status and failure to comply with either brought ‘poor’ water quality status.

There were 122 (93%) bathing areas compliant with mandatory standards (sufficient). 108 (82%) of the 131 also met the stricter guidelines (good). Nine failed to meet minimum standard and Youghal’s front strand was one of those.  (Ardmore, incidentally achieved ‘sufficient’ status.)

So one can safely assume that the main liability affecting the front strand is water quality. The beach would appear to suffer from the passing (pardon the pun) of raw sewerage and wet weather conditions that dislodged surface water from fields during last summer added to the ecological fragility last summer. On a far brighter note however, the imminent new town drainage and waste treatment scheme is certain to address the issue and one can expect to see the blue flag dancing in the gale-swept downpours of future Youghal summers.

Youghal councillor Mary Linehan Foley says she is “delighted Youghal has two blue flags but I won’t be happy until we have three, because Youghal is highly dependent on tourism.” The councillor stresses that the waste water treatment plant “needs to be advanced quickly” in light of the town’s present blue flag standing.

Meanwhile, Youghal town council will host a ‘raise the flags’ reception at the town hall on Thursday June 17th at 2pm.

Somewhat quietly but importantly, two initiatives in the never-ending battle against drug abuse are being promoted in Youghal this summer. The first project is called Dial 2 Stop Drug Dealing and is being rolled out in Youghal by the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force (SRDTF), following successful implementation in other towns across the country since late 2008. It is administered from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. By Christy Parker

Dial 2 Stop Drug Dealing is crime-based and simply urges people with information to dial a confidential Freephone number and impart their knowledge. “Callers are not asked to identify themselves or leave their number. Neither do they need to fear a garda follow-up to their door,” says SRDTF co-ordinator Chris Black. “The project is entirely an intelligence gathering exercise.”

The Freephone number is 1800 220220

Across Ireland, Dial 2 Stop Drug Dealing has been one of the more successful operations organised by the government in the endless battle to defeat drug pushers, or at least remove their services from local communities, others replacing them notwithstanding. “About one third of al calls have given gardai good and useful information,” says Chris. “Drug squad personnel say much of the information received has been spot on and helped them with inquiries as well as bringing new names to light.”

According to data pertaining to 15 local and regional campaigns for the period up to December 2009 indicate the following:

* Over 5,500 were received to mid November 09, with 739 calls received in June 2009
* Over 1,500 reports were sent to the Gardaí
* 63% of calls are made between 11am and 5pm, most of them midweek.
* There was an increase in calls around the reporting of drug related murders
* There have been many Section 10 and Section 3 seizures

(All according to the website www.dialtostop.ie)

Dial 2 Stop Drug Dealing initiative is funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is also supported by An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive.

Referral strategy

A second initiative being piloted in Youghal from this month concerns referral action. Some years ago, in common with other communities, Youghal developed a referral strategy devolved from a surge in heroin use. This strategy is now being reassessed amidst attempts to modify it to serve drug use referrals generally.

According to Chris Black, the SRDTF is looking at the points of contact a drug user would have. “One of those pints would be ‘an arrest’ by a garda or at least a garda becoming aware of someone’s drug usage, ” he says.

Now, in terms of younger users (14-25 year olds), the Task Force is keen to utilise the Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) process in such circumstance, as against immediately taking the criminal prosecution road. “The garda would inform the JLO, who would in turn make contact with the alleged young drug user. This system is “still being tweaked” he adds and is expected to be rolled out later this month or early July. It is being piloted as part of an overall referral strategy being piloted in Youghal and Tralee. The government has committed to providing extra resources, such as increased numbers of counsellors, for at least the next two years.

Chris outlines a flaw in previous referral strategies that dealt only with ‘arrest’ referrals. “If the referral wasn’t taken up and the person subsequently came before the judiciary, then that refusal reflected badly on them,” he explains. “So now we’ve modified down to ‘came to the attention of.’”

Furthermore ‘arrest’ referrals tend to coerce people into seeking treatment and that’s not always the best basis for doing so. People need to go for treatment because they want to do so, not just to impress a judge.”

Those who have contributed in any way to the Emer Casey Foundation’s inspiring efforts to combat ovarian/uterine cancer, particularly through early detection, can be immensely proud of the results generated by their efforts.  Immediately following the 2010 Emer Case 10k on May 23rd, Professor John O’Leary of the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Trinity College Dublin addressed the participants at the assembly point in Pobalscoil na Trionoide. His message measured that, in truth, breakthroughs of immense importance, magnified by the foundation’s links with various international medical research centres, continue to emerge.

Professor O’Leary leads the DISCOVARY consortium, which is composed of researchers from several institutions who undertake world-class research into ovarian and endometrial cancer. DISCOVARY’s primary goal is to understand these cancers, develop new early detection methods and design novel treatment options.

The Emer Casey Foundation sponsors three Phd fellowships for the consortium and their focus lies in the areas of chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, circulating tumour cells and the body’s immune response to cancer. They are Mairead Murphy, Lynda McEvoy and Brendan French and they also addressed the gathering on recent progress in their individual projects.

The consortium’s overall profile and its considerable achievements can be viewed online at www.emercaseyfoundation.com Meanwhile Professor O’Leary and his workers addressed advances made in the past twelve months.

A year of great progress

The professor began by deliberating on “some very important discoveries and breakthroughs” over the year. He described how an “inflammatory pathway” involved with ovarian cancer had been discovered. The pathway is compiled of a protein called TLR4 and its accompanying adaptor molecule, MyD88. The terms are technical but the research indicated that, “some of the treatments we presently use for people with ovarian cancer may inadvertently activate this pathway,” which suggested that such cancer cells that express TLR4 and MyD88 are more likely to be chemoresistant and will behave like cancer stem cells. “That’s a major statement,” he stressed, adding that, “hospitals involved with the DISCOVARY consortium, are asking their ethics boards if they can start testing for these particular genes or proteins as part of managing the treatment with ovarian cancer patients.”

Professor O’Leary also told how the fellows are collaborating with the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI) and Dublin City University (DCU) in examining the role of platelets in cancer cell metastasis. The process, called ‘platelet cloaking,’ is “a major step forward in understanding how tumour cells spread in the blood stream.”

The professor proceeded that the consortium has “engaged a second group in UCD that have discovered a new protein in ovarian cancer called Mad-2. The presence of this “really bad protein” in ovarian cancer sufferers signified a much bleaker outlook. Thanks directly to the Emer Casey Foundation, an important paper on this issue was expected to be published in the coming months.

The three students are also commencing research in tandem with colleagues at the Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, USA, who approached them and asked for collaboration. This work “will focus on deep analysis of the role of MyD88 in tumour cell chemotherapeutic responses and to carry out live cell imaging of cancer platelet interactions.” This collaboration is seen as creating “a dynamic two-way interaction between scientists on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The three students/Fellows funded to the consortium by the Emer Casey Foundation also addressed the gathering, with each indicating their specific area of research and offering a brief synopsis of their progress. In this instance particularly, much of the terminology used is technical and, frankly, unlikely to convey its immense significance if represented here in full. Briefly, the speakers were represented thus:

1)  Lynda McEvoy: deals with “Developing Novel Therapeutic  approaches in Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer Paitents.’

Lynda aims to help formulate new ovarian cancer treatments and improve current ones. She is investigating why some ovarian cancer patients, having responded well to initial chemotherapy before relapsing and becoming resistant to treatment. She refers to one possible cause as tumour hypoxia, which is another way of saying ‘a reduced level of oxygen in the tumour.’ She has investigated the effect of hypoxia on the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, by subjecting the drugs combination cisplatin and taxane  to various conditions. Her findings “may provide novel targets for new therapeutic drugs,” she says. Her future plans include collaboration with DCU in examining the response of cells taken from a patient’s tumour to different concentrations of chemotherapy drugs and different concentrations of oxygen in order to tailor a chemotherapy regime that is suited to a patient’s particular tumour.”

2. Mairead Murphy: deals with ‘Developing and Validating  Diagnostic Serum Based Biomarker Panels in Ovarian Cancer.’

Mairead’s work aims to identify biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer. A biomarker is a substance that provides information about underlying processes within the body. To determine biomarkers she has profiled antibody patterns in the serum of ovarian cancer patients and then compared them to those of healthy volunteers. (Antibodies are proteins found in the blood or body fluid and make up the core of the immune system.)

She has identified patterns of some previously identified biomarkers and also potential biomarkers that may be used to detect various ovarian diseases, including cancer. Her task is to define the best possible treatment for ovarian cancer by distinguishing between different ovarian diseases. Through the presence of one sort of antibody (immunoglobulin G) in the blood she can probe the immune repertoire of patients over a period of up to 10 years and thus acquire information on cancer progression. A second type of antibody (immunoglobulin M) may provide an earlier assessment however and the two combined “should provide a greater insight into cancer progression and patient immune response,” she concludes.

3. Brendan French: deals with the ‘Isolation Characterisation and  Silencing of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells.’

Brendan, the latest recruit to the fellowship thanks to the public’s financial support, is studying the hypothesis whereby growth and repair of cancer tissue –as with normal tissue- is carried out by stem cells (CSCs). Cancer stem cells are thought to be resistant to therapy and capable of replenishing tumors post-treatment.

His project aims to isolate supposed CSCs from ovarian cancer. Once isolated, it is intended to validate these putative CSCs through various hallmarks associated with stem cells, such as chemoresistance, resistance to low oxygen conditions, etc. Once validated as stem cells the project will endeavour to discover what makes the CSC’s different to general cancer cells with the intention of identifying ways to differentiate/kill them and so make enhance the success of ovarian cancer treatment. This work is in its early stages but so far has identified and isolated one population of cancer stem cells from one line of ovarian cancer cells.

Summary

In summary, the Emer Casey Foundation is sponsoring ovarian cancer research in the areas of chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, circulating tumour cells and the body’s immune response to cancer. The scientists have already identified a panel of proteins that can be found in the blood of ovarian cancer patients and have developed a near-patent testing device to assess a patient’s response to chemotherapy. They are mow working on new ways to isolate circulating tumour cells in a patient’s blood.

War

Back on the support trenches, so to speak, of the war against ovarian cancer, Professor O’Leary had a stark but inspiring message for the troops assembled before him in Pobalscoil na Trionoide. “One in three of you here will get cancer and two in three of you will work or live with someone who will get it,” he said. Yet, “ordinary people are leading the fight against the ‘silent killer,’” he stressed. “You are contributing to a body of knowledge searching to establish early detection methods and striving to understand how these tumours can be treated.” He proceeded, “ Your money is making a major impact on the progress of Irish scientists that is being internationally recognized. That is why the running, walking and weeping you did today is so very important. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

YOUGHAL AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT MEETING JUNE 2010

By Christy Parker

There was a warm welcome when a member from the floor informed that provision was now being made for a celebratory party for the Junior Cert students next September. The Parents Council of Pobalscoil na Trionoide are arranging the event in tandem with the Quays nightclub. The celebration will run from 7-11pm in an alcohol-free environment and admittance will be by ticket only. The Quay’s management will provide security personnel. It was also noted that the occasion could prove to have been a precedent for similar arrangements depending on its success or otherwise.

Chairman Jack Dempsey said it was a significant initiative and offered an opportunity for young people to appreciate that enjoyment need not necessarily be dependent on alcohol. “A lot of thought seems to have gone into it and it’s good to see such responsibility,” he added.

Socially monitored alarms

Sergeant Sharkey told the meeting that from June 1st, the government had changed the procedure for processing applications for the supply of socially monitored alarms. He did not have details, but said it seemed future applications would face greater difficulties. Under the previous directive, Youghal had submitted 15 applications with 26 outstanding and to be subsequently submitted. The good news was that the department had asked that these also now be submitted and the total would be considered prior to June 1st. This had been done and hopefully all 41 would be approved. In response to a query from the chairman, he said the alarms themselves were free but there was an annual monitoring cost of about  €55/€60

Mr. Dempsey said it could be a difficult cost for some people but at least people were forewarned now. A private company, in conjunction with garda co-operation, would install the alarms.

Motoring advice

Sergeant Sharkey then read from a Garda circular denoting policing priorities over the June bank holiday. The appraisal however contained some statistics and information with year round relevance. It was noted that one-third of road fatalities concerned pedestrians, thus walkers are advised to wear bright or high visibility clothing on rural roads particularly, while drivers are asked to be alert to unexpected pedestrian traffic. Drivers are also advised to rest when tired and to ensure children are seated in appropriate child or booster seats. Passengers are cautioned to wear seat belts at all times and not to tolerate bad driving or speeding.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists too have high representation on the fatality list, with four having died since mid-April. The sergeant said motorcycle traffic increases over summer months and appealed to riders to avoid speed excessive, riding under influence of drink or drugs and not to ignore fatigue. He said research indicates the majority of motorcycle deaths occur at weekends and during daylight, with 40% of them single vehicle accidents. Further advice to motorcyclists included checking bike thoroughly, being aware of slow moving or stationary vehicles and changes in weather and road surfaces, being visible as possible and not allowing others to dictate one’s speed when riding in groups. (It wasn’t outlined, but most motorcyclists would also wish that vehicle drivers would be alert to the possible presence of motorcyclist when executing manoeuvres.)

Crime figures

The sergeant reported that crime figures for the past month were relatively low there were some serious incidents amongst them. There had been four recorded thefts –two from vehicles, including theft of stereo equipment in Foxhole on Sunday May 30th and a wallet from a van in South Main Street on Sunday May 16th. An oil tanks was emptied in Blackwater Heights (May 9th) and an unspecified theft at Lackaroe (May 8th).

There were eight recorded public order offence across various parts of town. Four pubs were ‘inspected’ and found to be in order and on May 28th, an under-age drinking incident was recorded at North Abbey cemetery. A fraudulent cheque was detected in Tallow Street, with a local man suspected and a definite line of inquiry being pursued.

Five

Five people were detected in possession of drugs and will appear in court in due course. There five drunk-driving cases recorded, all between May 15th -19th.

Criminal damage incidents again amounted to five, with a two detected and no apparent logic to any of them. In one incident, a vacant property in Carlton Village was damaged during a drinking expedition.

There were two burglaries reported on May 29th, including a Ballymacoda bar in which spirits and cash were taken. The sergeant said the cash till and drink were recovered close to the scene, which “points to a very local job.” He added that further burgled property was also recovered from a stashed location in the area. The second break-in was of a house in Rhincrew, in which a back door was left open and an inner door was forced. A wallet with a substantial amount of cash was stolen.

Assaults numbered four, two minor relatively, including at the GAA disco the previous weekend. Two more serious assaults, causing harm, occurred , one allegedly on May 17th involving two local youths, One suspect was arrested and a file is being prepared for the DPP. On May 26th, a local young man was seriously injured at Chestnut Drive and four people had subsequently been arrested. On May 31st the main suspect in that case, a 17 year old, was arrested and remanded in custody at Clonmel District Court to Youghal District Court on June 4th. Meanwhile a local man suspected of “a lot of crime” and whom gardai had been seeking, was also arrested on May 31st and would too appear in Youghal court on June 4th. In reply to the floor, the sergeant said most crime incidents in Youghal had a “strong local aspect” to it.

Dodgy €50’s, boy racers, hot cigarettes…

Concern was raised about fraudulent €50 notes. The sergeant said a major counterfeit operation had been raided in recent days in Dublin. He said complaints in Youghal were relatively rare. Advising on what to do should a business detect a forged note, Sergeant Sharkey said it was best to retain the note and ask the individual to wait while the gardai were summonsed. He stressed that anyone could harbour a false note unknowingly and that the gardai would be interested perhaps in trying to trace from where it may have been acquired as against assuming the holder was behaving criminally. Ultimately though, it was felt that the holder’s demeanour would prove a good indicator of their position, with guilty individuals more often than not legging it fast! “We shouldn’t feel guilty or embarrassed either just because our note is being tested,” commented the chairman.

Community Alert Treasurer Michael Beecher was perturbed that ‘boy racers are starting again for the summer,” with tyre marks evident on newly resurfaced roads, suck as Cork Hill. He also wondered if cigarette smuggling was a particular problem in Youghal. Sergeant Sharkey said he hadn’t any intelligence that indicated cigarettes were being illegally sold in great volumes in Youghal currently, but information could arrive at any time. As regards boy racing he advised that enforcement was only one deterrent and that speed bumps etc were a viable alternative. He mused that (Cllr) Beecher might wish to raise that at “another forum.”

A lady from the floor asked how prevalent and successful were drug searches. The sergeant said on average about 30-35 street/car searches were conducted per month. In May, these had resulted in three finds from a total of five. House searches, by contrast, depended on stronger reason for doing so and these measured about three per month. Information came through tip-offs and criminal arrests, amongst other sources and often provided new names to more established identities.

The sergeant added that an Garda liked to rotate responsibility for drug crimes amongst the rank and file. A new garda, Aidan D’ardais had now assumed the plainclothes role in Youghal, replacing Garda Ian Brown.

Some in attendance has reservations about children acquiring pellet guns from a new shop in town. Sergeant Sharkey said they weren’t illegal though he had some concern that a laser facility may be associated with them. He would inquire further into it.

The meeting concluded with reference to the group’s finances. Mr. Beecher said that following the donation of €50 (genuine one!) to Cumann na Daoine in respect of crime-warning signs, a total of €763.50c. The next annual church gate collection is imminent this summer and meantime the next community alert meeting will be on July 6th at 7.45 pm, Walter Raleigh.

Seafield,

Youghal.

Mr. Liam Ryan,

Town Clerk,

Mall House,

Youghal.                                                                    2nd June 2010.

RE: Closure of Diving Rocks

Dear Liam,

I refer to the recent report received by Youghal Town Council which prompted the action of restricting public access to the Diving Rocks. I wish to convey to the Manager the widespread sense of public outrage at this action and to make the following observations on the area and on the report itself:-

1. Description and Significance

The Diving Rocks is one of Youghal`s finest natural amenities situated in one of Youghal`s most scenic locations at the mouth of Youghal harbour where the River Blackwater meets the sea. It is a traditional swimming facility which has been maintained by the local authority for over 150 years. It is accessed by a public path and steps from the main road at Lighthouse Hill and terminates in a concrete platform and steps leading onto the beach. Two parallel rocks (diving rocks) 40-50 feet apart stretch from here into the sea and in between is a fine natural swimming pool usable during the hours just before and after high tide. It is comparable to the nationally famous “Fortyfoot” at Sandycove, Dublin. Anecdotally those who have experienced swimming at the “Fortyfoot” would claim that Youghal`s Diving Rocks facility is superior because of its semi-enclosed location, suntrap character, shelter from prevailing westerly winds and freedom from strong currents in the area between each diving rock.

2  Historical Setting

The Diving Rocks came into being as a swimming amenity consequent to the building of the present-day Youghal Lighthouse between 1848-1852 when the light first became operational. The modern lighthouse was constructed on the exact same site as the older Norman-built 13th Century St. Anne`s Light Tower which it replaced. All materials used in its construction were transported to the site by sea, necessitating the construction of a landing place with its platform and stone steps carved into each diving rock. The access path from the public road is even older and is described by Rev. Canon Samuel Hayman in his book“Memorials of Youghal” as “of the remotest antiquity and often used by seamen and traffickers in ages past”.

3. Safety Record

The Diving Rocks boasts an impeccable safety record. In over 150 years of public usage there has never been a swimming/diving accident or any incident or insurance claim whatsoever regarding the use of this facility by any member of the public. Youghal Lifeboat has never been called to an emergency at the Diving Rocks whereas it has been called many times to incidents along Youghal`s quayside (where anyone falling in to the water is immediately susceptible to being swept away by strong currents) and to the Front Strand/Claycastle.

5. Profile of Users

1. Competent swimmers

Only those who are competent swimmers use the Diving Rocks. Children of primary school age are never present except with their parents. Swimming takes place between the months of May and October. Outside these months the water is too cold. Swimming is impossible (water too rough) during strong onshore South-Easterly/Easterly winds and during these conditions no swimmers can enter the water.

2. Tourists

Tourists walking from town to the beach at the Front Strand cannot resist walking down the path to the Diving Rocks to view the area and take photographs. When they assess the wonderful swimming facility and scenic location they inevitably return to swim/sunbathe/take photographs. At low spring tides the area is accessible from both Greenhole Strand and the Front Strand and during summer it is very popular to walk from the Mall Strand along the beach all the way to the Front Strand and back. Denial of access to the beach at the Diving Rocks (with 2 adjacent viewing areas blocked off) will create a very bad and sad image of Youghal in the minds of very many tourists.

3. Photographers/Artists

Every tourist who visits takes photos of the mouth of the harbour, Monatrea and especially Youghal Lighthouse which is particularly well photographed from either of the Diving Rocks or the beach at low tide (the sun is behind the camera). I recently met three tourists who were filming the lighthouse as part of a holiday around Munster visiting all the lighthouses, photographing them from every conceivable angle and who had stayed in Youghal the previous night. Youghal Lighthouse is unique in that it is the only one in Ireland situated on a main road.

4. Anglers

The Diving Rocks are popular fishing spots on summer evenings when the tide is full especially during August when the mackerel come close to shore.

5. Comments on the Irish Water Safety Report

1. Ref. 2.2.3

The site visit took place on 27th February 2010 at a time of the year when winter conditions prevail, when the sand is removed by winter storms, when sea conditions are invariably rough and when no swimmers are present. At this time of year low rocks are exposed which are covered by sand in summer. There is no evidence that the actual use of the facility by anyone was witnessed by the assessor, Richard McLoughlin. A summer visit would have revealed the real conditions which prevail during the time of highest usage by the general public.

2. Ref. 3.1

The reference to fast currents when the tide is going out is disingenuous because the Diving Rocks can only be used just before and after high tide when there is a good depth of water between both diving rocks. In between each diving rock there are NO currents just an area of safe water. If anyone wants to swim at low tide they do so in the sandy beach area to the south of the Diving Rocks where the water is extremely shallow and safe.

The reference to “when spring tides are in action the area is very dangerous” is misleading. This is only true during conditions of very strong Southeasterly/Easterly winds when swimming is impossible anyway. Spring tides in summer conditions are ideal for swimming and diving.

3. Ref. 3.1.1

“Young people playing on the rocks”. These are young children playing accompanied by and under the supervision of their parents.

4. Ref. 3.1.2

Some points made here are ludicrous. “The pathway would be hard to manoeuvre with a stretcher or any other emergency equipment”. The Coastguard service is trained to bring stretchers down sheer cliff faces. How could a path such as this be a problem for such highly trained personnel?

There is no definition of “other emergency equipment”.

Standard practice is that casualties occurring on water in any area of the harbour are quickly brought by Youghal Lifeboat to Youghal Lifeboat Station where they are met by the Ambulance.

The following quotation is plainly ridiculous “The diving board area is 3 metres above the rocks at low tide which I feel is not sufficient depth for the diver to make safe entry”. Is the assessor seriously suggesting that someone would attempt to dive from the diving board at low tide!?

And again “the board is almost at water level at high tide”. The level of high tide varies according to whether there are spring tides or neap tides i.e from almost at board level during the highest spring tides (twice a month) to about  a metre under the board at the lowest neap tides. How is this a problem? In fact the absence of a problem is borne out by the fact divers have been making safe entry here for over 150 years!

It is extraordinary that no reference has been made by the assessor to the relevance of the safety role provided by the steps carved into each diving rock and to the safety chains provided by Youghal Town Council. These are precisely the safety measures which enable swimmers to avoid the entrapment which he mentions. How could the assessor have missed such salient safety items?

5. Ref. 3.1.3

“The diving area is very unsafe and access to the area should be closed off from the public”. This recommendation is totally unwarranted for all the reasons which I have stated above. It is obvious that this report was compiled without the benefit of specialist local knowledge and this is why it contains such major flaws.

While agreeing with the desirability of improving the pathway, providing more handrails, safety rails, warning signage, safety information board and another lifebuoy, I cannot agree in view of the impeccable safety record of the Diving Rocks, that the entire area should be closed to public access. The present closure from the public road still leaves access from the Greenhole/Front Strand beaches at low tide and now for the first time poses the very real possibility of tourists approaching at low tide, spending time relaxing/sunbathing at the Diving Rocks and being cut off by a rising tide unable to escape up the pathway to the public road as before. In other words a new and real hazard has been created for the public.

6. Ref. 3.5.1

Is the assessor seriously suggesting encouraging the public to use Greenhole Beach for swimming and water sports? Does he know that Greenhole Beach is notoriously unsafe for public bathing with a long history of danger and carrying a red flag to prove it? This beach is rightly shunned for swimming by the public. He condemns the use of an area with a proven safety record and suggests that Cork County Council promote a dangerous one! Enough said!

7. Ref.3.6.1

“Wave profile” Risk Substantial

Only during strong Southeasterly/Easterly winds when swimming is impossible and access is impossible.

“Unsafe access/exit to/from water” Risk Substantial

No reference by assessor to safety chains/steps on diving rocks. This point easily remedied by extra handrails/safety rails

“Cliff falls” Risk Substantial

No record of cliff falls on south side of Diving Rocks. Easily remedied by signage and railing.

“Piers/Structures” Risk Substantial

Easily remedied by handrails.

“Tidal Cutoff” Risk Substantial

Previously highly unlikely but now very likely due to closure of pathway.

“Rip and other strong currents” Substantial

There are no rip currents only an undertow during gale force SE/E winds when swimming and access are impossible.

6. Conclusion

Due to the damage to Youghal`s image as a tourism town which the closure of access to the beach at the Diving Rocks (and the two other viewing areas) entails and due to the numerous statements in this report which can be strongly refuted, I would ask that a second opinion from a suitably qualified person be obtained so that it may be determined (with the benefit of local knowledge) whether closure of this area to the public is justifiable and if so what would be the minimum programme of remedial works that should be carried out to ensure re-opening of public access as soon as possible. I would request that this work be carried out during the summer swimming season at least before the end of August.

Yours sincerely,

________________

Cllr. Liam Burke

The ‘Diving Rock’ on Lighthouse Hill, traditionally a male only bastion, is well known to the people of Youghal. For hundreds of years it has, and continues to be used by many of the local residents on a regular, all year round basis.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Forty nine steps lead from the Lighthouse Hill, just beside the Lighthouse, down to the rocky area below where nature has formed a natural pool between two rocks which measures about 20 metres wide. This pool is filled by the tide from a natural opening in the rocks, and the safety of this pool would appear to be beyond question. For those more experienced and stronger swimmers, the choice exists to either stay within the confines of the pool or to venture further out into the ocean.

On May 28th last, the people of Youghal were horrified to witness the erection of ugly, hardboard ‘doors’ which completely close off entry to the Atlantic ocean from anywhere on the Lighthouse Hill. Some time ago, the viewing area furthest up Lighthouse Hill was closed off for health and safety reasons. Now, the remaining two entries are also boarded up, denying any access of any description to the natural rocky area and tiny beach below. This action at any time of the year would appear to be damning, but coming at the start of the summer season makes it all the more unbelievable.

The East Cork Journal spoke with Liam Ryan, Town Clerk, Youghal Town Council who explained the situation. “ In November of 2009,” he said “ the Safety Section of Cork County Council, when reviewing the area, requested a Report from the Irish Water Safety on the ‘Diving Rock’ area.

The report was received by Youghal Town Council last week and included, among others, the following;

*The diving board area is 3 metres above the rocks at low tide, which is insufficient for the safety of swimmers. The board is almost at water level at high tide

*The incoming tide, if surging, could trap swimmers under the cat walk areas which link rock to rock.

*The access steps are of different heights and are in a poor state of repair.

*the pathway to the diving area would be hard to manoeuvre with a stretcher or any other emergency piece of equipment

The recommendation received by Youghal Town Council from Irish Water Safety is that ‘the diving area is very unsafe and access to the area should be closed off from the public’.

Mr Ryan confirmed that, on review of the Report, the Town Council hade no alternative but to close the area, restricting entry completely. Refusal to close the area would cause the Council to be wholly negligent in the event of an accident. He also stated that the area must remain closed off to the public until these issues have been addressed. How long this could take is anybody’s guess.

Michael Treacy, proprietor of The Nook Bar and Restaurant, lives on Lighthouse Hill and he told the East Cork Journal that he and his family have been using the Diving Rock all their lives. “There can be no denying that the presence of rocks on any beach can present danger, he said, but people have been using this Diving Rock for more than a hundred years and in all that time, not even one accident has been reported. The dangers of entering water for swimming or fishing purposes presents danger no matter where you are, and one must always be aware of this.” Michael went on to say that you could say danger exists on the five mile beach where the breakers are like spears, and in Greenhole where there is a huge drop of 6’ to 8’ which also presents danger. Are they going to close down the beach and Greenhole next? Michael asks.

Johnny Fitzgibbons, another Youghal resident and businessman, told the East Cork Journal that this area has been used for as long as he can remember. He, himself, has always liked the idea of using it and cannot understand how somebody, somewhere can decide – after one hundred years of accident free use- that it is a danger and must be closed and boarded off. “Why now?” Johnny asks. “And why so suddenly, without prior notice or announcement to the people?” “This is not right”, he said.

The entire area of Lighthouse Hill has come under scrutiny and criticism in recent months, and there is no doubt that work needs to be done to make it safer and more user friendly. Does this necessitate the complete closure of entry to one of Youghal’s much loved and frequently used areas which, up to Friday last, was used on a daily basis by people from all different areas in the town? What makes the surging sea more dangerous now than it was last year or the year before? Who, among those frequent users, are not aware of dangers that exist everywhere – not just in this tiny, private, exclusive swimming ‘hole’ that has meant so much to so many for a long, long time. And who, or how, can solve the problematic areas of surging tides and water height?

In fact, who in Youghal can turn the tide? – Photos www.youghalonline.com

The Rev’d Canon Patrick Hewitt was instituted as Incumbent of Youghal Union of Parishes, the institution took place in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church,Youghal last night. (Tuesday June 9th 2010) Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The Reverend Canon Patrick Hewitt whose appointment as the new Rector of the combined parishes Ardmore, Castlemartyr and Youghal has recently been announced. Canon Hewitt, a former Rector of Dunmanway, previously from Bandon Union of Parishes, where he has served for the past 12 years. Church of Ireland Bishop, Rev Paul Colton presided at his Institution as Rector at St Mary the Virgin Church, Youghal.

Click on image to enlarge – Photo: www.youghalonline.com

The Rev’d Canon Patrick Hewitt

Education / Qualifications:

St John’s College, York ,Certificate in Education, 1971
Lincoln Theological College 1975 – 1979
Nottingham University, Bachelor of Theology 1979

Ordination:

Carlisle Cathedral; Ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev’d. David Halsey; 1979
Carlisle Cathedral; Ordained Priest by the Rt. Rev’d. David Halsey; 1980

Previous parishes:

St. John the Evangelist, Workington (Curate), Carlisle, 1979 – 1983
St. John the Baptist (Vicar of Flookburgh), Carlisle, 1983 – 1987
St. Matthew with St. Francis (Vicar of Barrow-in-Furness), Carlisle, 1987 – 1990
Lowick and Kyloe with Ancroft (Vicar), Newcastle, 1990 – 1996
Ford and Etal (Rector), Newcastle, 1990 – 1996
Norham (Rural Dean), Newcastle, 1991 – 1996
Incumbent, Fanlobbus Union, C.C.R. 1996 – 2007
Incumbent, Bandon Union, C.C.R. 2007 – 2010

Current parish and responsibilities:

Incumbent, Youghal Union, C.C.R. from 2010
Prebendary, St. Michael’s & Inniskenny, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, C.C.R. from 2000
Prebendary, Brigown, St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne, C.C.R. from 2000

Almost 160 years of a bathing tradition came to a sudden halt last week when the town council was instructed to board up access to the ‘49’s swimming area at the foot of the lighthouse. The instruction came from town manager, Patricia Power, on receipt of a risk assessment report she commissioned from the Irish Water Safety Association that deemed the spot unsafe.
Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The decision has caused considerable anger amongst those who use the facility, not alone for its ramifications but also for the total absence of notification that a report had been commissioned at all.

Reports findings

The safety survey was conducted over two visits last February. Amongst its 24-page report the following concerns were stipulated: the access pathway adjacent to the lighthouse is in poor repair and “could cause trips and falls.” It was also deemed unsatisfactory for emergency access; the ‘catwalk’ approach to the diving board has no handrails and “would be an entrapment area for swimmers if the tide rises”; the diving area is “unsafe” with the diving board (which Youghal Town Council have traditionally installed) considered a risk at three metres above low tide; submerged rocks serve further dangers. The area generally is considered susceptible to “tidal surges.”  A lack of signage and a need for further lifebuoys, properly located, are also outlined.

Additionally the report notes that a closed-off viewing area -that had served as a second access point- is dangerously rusted underneath and needs restoration or demolishing. (This section, along with a second viewing area at Moll Goggin’s Corner has been closed for years now and Cork County Council is showing no indication of addressing the issue at all.)

Ms Power referred inquiries to the town clerk Liam Ryan, who said the manager commissioned the report following complaints she received. However he did “not have the information” as to the nature and number of complaints and with the town manager not commenting directly, that relevant factor remains a mystery. Perhaps the answer will be sought and provided at some upcoming town council meeting.

Meanwhile, given that the town council serviced the area with its diving board, Mr Ryan did not seem overtly enthusiastic with developments. However, on a brighter note he observed that, “now that the issues have been highlighted, we can try to address them.”

Over protection?

While there is a general acceptance that the area held some hazard, support for the closure is pretty thin on the ground. The relatively clandestine manner by which entire episode from survey to report to closure was conducted, accounts in part for people’s resentment.

Secondly, there is a sense of ‘health and safety’ losing the run of itself. Especially amongst generations that played hide & seek in deserted building sites, before the culture of ‘fall and sue’ stepped off some well-gritted disembarking plank from America, there is a growing resentment towards the inexorable sanitisation of life. People, adults, feel they are being treated like cattle –and imbecilic ones at that- with a lack of consultation that is allied to a growing plethora of rules and regulations being imposed on them by distant civil servants. They wonder as to whither went personal responsibility and, by and large, they want it back.

Yet authority can claim to be merely responding to the times. For, as the town clerk noted, there is a legal profession willing to accommodate those who will initiate litigation at the drop of a brick, including a judiciary (answering only to itself) that seems to lean towards such litigants regardless of any trampling on common sense. “Once the report recommended closing access, the manager had really no option but to do so,” he states.

Criticisms

The diving rocks, or ‘49’s,’ as the area is known, arose from the establishment of Youghal lighthouse itself, in 1852 “The materials to build it had to be transported by sea and so a landing area was established,” says Green Party town councillor Liam Burke, who has bathed in the area for 50 years.

Mr Burke argues that there has never been a serious accident at the rocks in living memory. “The lifeboat has never once been summonsed, nor the council sued for injury, “which is more than can be said for the unprotected quay walls and the greater beach area,” he adds. He is also critical of the survey being conducted in February and would like a second survey conducted “during maximum usage and in summer conditions.”

Others dismayed by the issue include Youghal Mayor Sandra McLellan and town and Cork county Cllr Barbara Murray. Both have described the closure as ‘health and safety gone mad.’ The mayor fears a greater risk will ensue should people be tempted to access the area by other methods, while Cllr Murray angrily demands, “where next are they going to close up a scenic area in a town dependent on tourism?!”

Also unhappy amongst the 30 or so regulars who availed of the once male-dominated, sun-trapping idyll is a local lady who had planned to have some of her wedding photos shot there next August. She is reportedly determined that the location will feature in her wedding album! One fears that the new bride may be denied her dream of love on the rocks however.

NO ENTRY!

NO ENTRY! – by Christy Parker

Factories close, dole queue grows, sometimes you just can’t win

Down in Youghal we’ve seen it all, but we take it on the chin

We’ve pothole craters that alligators would lose their way inside

And derelict sites with things that bite where furry creatures hide.

The hills are steep and grow men weep at Youghal’s post office queue

As it winds its way into next day and the day after that day too

The roads aren’t great and I hate to say it, but the footpaths can lead you to jump

And we’ve seen the breeze bring a man to his knees as it carried the smell from the dump.

We’ve had Raleigh, Cromwell and buskers from hell as merciless persecutors

And worse than others, some Christian Brothers used torture when they were tutors

But never in life has Youghal known strife like the day of the Shock of all Shocks

When we awoke one morning to find without warning they’d closed the diving rocks.

Some bloke we don’t know with a clipboard in tow strolled around the spot

And was allowed to decide as he gazed at the tide what was safe -and what was not

He said someone could slip on the pathway, or trip and land themselves in sick bay

And if the sea got an urge he swore it would surge and sweep the poor bathers away

Amongst further failings the absence of railings made the note-taker quake in his shoes

As he pictured a swagger would conclude with a stagger and a fall to one’s doom -or a bruise.

And then, oh Good Lord!! Look -the diving board!!! It’s way too high at low tide!!

Someone out of their mind might dive only to find their skull and their brain would divide!

His amazing insight would put danger to flight and he called for immediate action

He said, ‘no ifs or buts, these people are nuts to be using this unsafe distraction.

‘There is no time to waste, we must order with haste, some ply board and 22 nails

And tack words of restraint on a coat of white paint, explaining the finer details.’

Up went the construction to cause an obstruction to swimmers intent on a tan

Amidst much denouncing and profane pronouncing from every woman and man

Some say with a laugh, ‘in a century and a half, nobody once came to grief

And the fact that some stranger could fathom such danger is a matter of great disbelief.

‘But if we’re to survive,’ say the swimmers who dive, ‘we have to unearth a solution

We reject out of hand going to the Front Strand on account of water pollution’

Though searching for hope some say that a rope would best of all fit the bill

They could stay where they love with a knot tied above while abseiling the Lighthouse Hill.

Yet there is one place that thrives without trace of the ‘health and safety’ crew

Its private, secluded, clean water included and offers a wonderful view

It has legroom galore and I ask you what more is needed to save the hour?

So let’s have fun restored by taking the board -and climbing the water tower.