Tragic death of a man at north Mayo pier prompts calls for maintenance plan to clear surfaces of moss and algae
A tragedy at Belderrig Pier in North Mayo, in which a man in his 60s lost his life, was described as a “harrowing scene” by a local councillor who has raised a motion to prevent a similar incident happening again.
On Wednesday, February 18, a car with a sole occupant entered the sea off the pier after slipping on its algae and moss-covered surface.
Cllr Michael Loftus, attending the scene as a volunteer first responder with the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club team, told Mayo County Council that “this was an accident that shouldn’t have happened.”
He is calling on the council to implement a structured and fully funded work plan for the regular inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of all piers and slipways in the county.
Cllr Loftus outlined the series of events, saying the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club received a call around 9pm on February 18 from the Gardaí, informing them a car had gone off Belderrig Pier.
He and six team members arrived to find the car “had gone off the pier and was upside down.”
The group managed to secure the car with a rope, which made its eventual recovery easier.
Cllr Loftus described the slipway conditions as “treacherous”.
“You are literally walking on grease. That’s what it was like that night,” he added.
He said the driver had done “everything possible to stop the car going in” and had the handbrake pulled.
Cllr Loftus acknowledged the response of the fire services from Belmullet and Crossmolina, the coastguard from Killala, RNLI Belmullet, the ambulance, An Garda Síochána, and local people who were at the scene trying to help.
He referenced a 2016 incident at Buncranna Pier in Donegal, where a family of five tragically lost their lives after their car slipped into the sea.
“This is what is going to happen here if we don’t do something in relation to the piers,” he said.
18 days after the incident, on Monday, March 9, the pier had not yet been cleaned.
Cllr Loftus said he had engaged with the family in bringing forward his motion to Mayo County Council, calling for a structured and fully funded work plan for the regular inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of Belderrig Pier and all other piers and slipways in the county.
The motion outlined that the plan should: establish a clear cleaning schedule for each pier and slipway, identify responsibility and oversight within the council, and provide allocated budget and resources.
Cllr Loftus said the schedule should prioritise health and safety standards, particularly concerning algae buildup and slip hazards, and include engagement with local fishing communities, marine users, and coastal residents.
The man’s daughter issued a statement in which she called on Mayo County Council to support the motion tabled by Cllr Loftus and “ensure that action is taken without delay”.
She wrote: “No family should ever have to go through what ours has endured. My father cannot have lost his life in vain,
“Before the car went under, my father managed to phone my mother to tell her he had not long left. Our family then had to endure the unimaginable experience of waiting almost four hours while emergency services worked to recover his car and bring him home to us.
“During that time, we had to stand by helplessly and watch the waves toss his car around the water. My father fought to get out. The handbrake had been pulled to the last, and his arm was badly bruised from trying to open the door, but despite his best efforts, he could not escape.”
Cllr Loftus urged for the plan to be implemented promptly to ensure piers are cleaned as often as needed.
He acknowledged the council’s response to his motion spoke of the increased level of service coming with an associated increase in cost that would need to be budgeted for.
“What is a life worth if we don’t look at the people in our community and say we can help you by cleaning this. We should be cleaning these piers automatically,” he said.
Cllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy expressed her sympathies to the family and agreed with Cllr Loftus. She proposed installing barriers at all piers to improve safety and prevent future tragedies.
Cllr Duffy also asked the Council Executive to ensure Belderrig Pier was cleaned by Tuesday, March 20, expressing dismay that it had remained uncleaned.
“It is beyond belief that the pier has not been cleaned, given what has happened there. I am asking that it be cleaned at the latest by tomorrow evening,” she said.
Chief Executive Kevin Kelly responded that he could not provide an update on an operational matter during the meeting.
The full response to Cllr Loftus’ motion reads: "As part of the Maritime Strategy 2040 that went before the Council in December, the associated 5-year implementation 2025-2030 Plan sets out several actions, one of which was the following,
“Develop protocols for sustainable public amenities at key coastal locations, coordinating with the Municipal Districts and Tourism Section.
“In the context of Piers and Harbours, this refers to the sustainable provision of signage, lighting, guarding, water, power, waste facilities, toilets, cranage, etc., and the management of slipways.
“In terms of a protocol for slipways, notwithstanding the points outlined, the establishment of a sustainable level of service, assessment of signage, markings and other mitigating measures, and legal considerations would also need to be assessed.
“It must be recognised that any increased level of service will come with an associated increase in costs, which would need to be budgeted for.
“Engagement with the relevant Strategic Policy Committee and Municipal Districts would be of key importance.
“Development of this protocol will require a period of preparation, but will be established as a matter of urgency."
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.