Fence realignment 2002

In 2001 the Beach committee sought details of the alignment of the fence between the Portmarnock beach and dunes and IMG golf course. We discovered that the transfer had not been registered ~ 10 years after the event. The reason given was that exact boundaries had not been agreed. The surveying for this took place subsequent to our enquiry and, as far as we know, boundaries have now been agreed. We are seeking a copy of the map from FCC or the Land registry.

In the meantime work has been undertaken by a contractor employed by IMG to realign the fence. A triangle on the first dune inside the fence was being returned to FCC and the following photographs were taken of the work in progress. The trench cut into the dune has been left open and the loose sand is blowing away. Our fear is that the realignment of the fence will cause even more damage to the line of dunes leading to further deterioration through dry sand blowing away.

[Image] Unfortunately we now discover that to move the fence 4 meters a trench was cut 2/12 meters wide. The sand and marram from the trench is dumped on the living marram on the dune, destroying the area being given back to the possession of FCC. The photographs were taken 17th of January 2002. They clearly illustrate the trench cut to install the new fence. The photograph below shows the sand and marram piled on the existing dune with the 'old' fence below in the process of being removed. The area below this dune is felt by FCC's expert to be the most vulnerable area of the system.

Photos: Deirdre Pearson.

[Image]
Residue of the dune dug out for the trench.
[Image]
Mounded sand removed from the trench and dumped on the front of the dune.

[Image]
Old fence knocked down with line of new fence and showing sand and marram piled on dune.
[Image]
New fence looking towards the golf course

[Image] [Image]
Uprooted marram grass bleached and dying.

[Image]
The trench cut through a living vibrant dune, destroying it.
[Image]
Front of the dune with the old fence removed showing the new line of the fence higher up.

[Image]
New line of fence showing beach in background.
In the photo opposite the loose sand dug from the trench can be seen piled on top of the dune. The 'old' fence is piled in the foreground. This has since been removed.
[Image]

TOP of PAGE

	Unfortunately we now discover that to move the fence 4 meters a trench was cut 2/12 meters wide. The sand and marram from the trench is dumped on the living marram on the dune, destroying the area being given back to the possession of FCC. The photographs were taken 17th of January 2002. They clearly illustrate the trench cut to install the new fence. The photograph below shows the sand and marram piled on the existing dune with the 'old' fence below in the process of being removed. The area below this dune is felt by FCC's expert to be the most vulnerable area of the system. Photos: Deirdre Pearson.
Residue of the dune dug out for the trench.	Mounded sand removed from the trench and dumped on the front of the dune.
Old fence knocked down with line of new fence and showing sand and marram piled on dune.	New fence looking towards the golf course
	Uprooted marram grass bleached and dying.
The trench cut through a living vibrant dune, destroying it.	Front of the dune with the old fence removed showing the new line of the fence higher up.
New line of fence showing beach in background. In the photo opposite the loose sand dug from the trench can be seen piled on top of the dune. The 'old' fence is piled in the foreground. This has since been removed.