COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That the Chief Executive update this Committee on measures to prevent swimming in the Dodder as outlined at our September ACM, specifically in terms of preventing access across public land, providing signage, public awareness and the outcome of the consultation by the Council's health and safety advisor with Water Safety Ireland in relation to the matter and specifically with regard to the question of ring buoys and whether or not they're advisable.

REPORT:

Approximately 9km of the River Dodder runs through SDCC controlled lands, these locations have been surveyed by the Council's Health and Safety Advisor in conjunction with supervisory staff from the public realm section and a report on the matter is currently being prepared. It is expected that the H&S Advisor will be recommending primarily the use of signage and the installation of ring buoys at known (unofficial) bathing locations where there is ease of access to the river and where swimming takes place.  Water Safety Ireland have been consulted in relation to this matter and the installation of signage and ring buoys is in keeping with their recommendations.

In relation to measures taken at the location of the tragic drowning close to Fort Bridge on the Dodder River, the Public Realm Section has closed off the access to Council land beside the bridge by installing a security gate and security fencing. It was reported previously that similar measures had been put in place at this location in the past but that these had been breached.  Access along the path underneath the bridge, which was being used to access the unofficial bathing location, has also been closed off by the installation of fencing across this pathway.  Arrangements are currently being made for the installation of a ring buoy and signage along the main road close to the bridge and close to the location of the drowning.  Similar arrangements will be put in place at other locations which have been previously discussed, such as at the Firhouse Weir.