Sea wall row goes on

A SPECIAL meeting of Dublin City Council will take place this Wednesday, November 11, to try and find a resolution to the flood defence wall dispute at St Anne’s.  

Approximately 600 people attended a meeting at Clontarf Castle last Wednesday night (November 4) to voice their anger over work on the project to date.

The day after that meeting, local public representatives met city council officials to voice their concerns. The main issues discussed were the proposed height of the wall, the final finish and the height of the roadway.

In a statement, Dublin City Council said the proposed works to the sea wall – being built as part of the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) project – represent a “minimum prudent response to the very real threat of sea flooding along this stretch of the coastline”. 

“The views of cyclists and pedestrians will not be adversely affected,” a spokeswoman said. 

However, the residents are disputing this point and believe their views of Dublin Bay are being impeded.

The council’s spokesperson said: “Over a short stretch the views of motorists will be affected, but the overall wall height of 4.25m Ordinance Datum (OD) Malin Head cannot be reduced as this would compromise the sea flooding defence for the entire area. 

“The council will liaise with the local community and their elected representatives and present options to them for the finish of the sea wall in order to ensure that the final finish is acceptable to them.” 

Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind) said the huge turnout at the Clontarf Castle meeting highlighted the anger about “any attempt to damage a public amenity.” 

“I called the meeting to hear the views on the proposed flood defence wall,” he said.  

“I am opposed to this wall and its design. All I ask is that the city manager and senior officials listen to the views of the local residents and have sensible flood defence measures that protect local people and enhance our beautiful Dublin Bay.”

Cllr Sean Haughey (FF) said he is shocked by the height and appearance of the sea wall and described it as a “monstrosity”.

“It is clear that there is considerable opposition to this proposal in the wider community,” said Cllr Haughey. 

Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (RENUA Ireland) said: “I have made strong representations to the council that they should consider either reducing the height of the new sea wall or increasing the height of the road, so that the wall does not have as much of an impact on the view for drivers, especially opposite St Anne’s Park.

“I also raised the importance of improving the appearance of the wall as it currently stands.”