Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Fears have been voiced that a beach hugely popular with people from Killarney could “disappear before our eyes” during future storms.
Cllr Tommy Cahill said the facility at Rossbeigh could vanish if urgent short and long-term works are not initiated.
“Rossbeigh beach is in danger of being washed away, depending on the severity of the next few storms that hit.
“I am calling on Kerry County Council, the Office of Public Works, the Ministers for the Environment and Tourism and all stakeholders to pull together to save Rossbeigh beach,” he said.
Cllr Cahill said he is worried for people living in surrounding homes, businesses and farms.
“If the authorities do not move now, it will disappear overnight before our very eyes,” he warned.
Ongoing damage is being done during storm after storm and from the latest visible results, it can’t last long more, he said.
“Local residents lie in fear in their beds at night worried that the sea-water will enter their homes causing damage, injury, maybe even death.
“I am urging all involved to imagine that the tide is outside their window and it is their life, their property, their business that is in danger,” said Cllr Cahill.
He added that the Castlemaine Harbour Pilot Study is now complete and its recommendations must be acted upon urgently.
“If we don’t act now, the homes of hundreds of people could be lost and Rossbeigh beach and seaside resort will become a memory,” Cllr Cahill added.
Meanwhile, Cllr Michael Leane has called on Kerry County Council put in place temporary beach toilet facilities, from May to September, so they are closer to the lifeguards’ huts and promenades.
“It would make them easier to access for parents with young children, elderly people, the lifeguards that are on duty and people with other medical reasons,” he said.
Council officials said, however, that Kerry’s 13 Blue Flag beaches have been consistently awarded accreditation annually and the criteria includes the standards and provision of public conveniences.
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