New Ross councillors agree to fund second berth for Search and Rescue team – ‘I would hate to see them impeded by a lack of finances’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

New Ross River Search and Rescue (NRSR) will not have to pay for a second berth at the Marina after local councillors confirmed they will cover any associated costs for 2026. While the NRSR currently has one free berth at the Marina on the River Barrow, it has to pay an annual rate of €520 for its second berth, a fee which the group says could be spent on the upkeep of its lifesaving equipment.

However, at the April meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD), it was agreed that the fee would be covered by the council.

“They should not be paying for any of the berths they use,” said Councillor Michael Sheehan. “We should give them a grant to cover the cost of that berth and we should do that on an annual basis for the next three years. I would hate to see them impeded by a lack of finances.”

When asked where the money would come from, Cllr Sheehan said it could either come from the six councillors’ own discretionary funds or from the art and amenities grant allocated to the district.

Fearing other groups would request similar grants, Cllr Pat Barden had an alternative suggestion.

“I would prefer if we just cut the cost altogether,” he said. “How many other groups would request similar grants if we give this one? We don’t have a lot of money in our discretionary funds.”

While finances are one issue impacting NRSR, Cathaoirleach John Dwyer said the discontent ran deeper within the organisation.

“I have spoken to the chairman and he says it’s not the money that’s the issue it’s the lack of recognition. They have a horrid task, particularly when a body is recovered from the river. They are all volunteers and we are sending the wrong signal by charging them for the berth.”

Director of services, Eamonn Hore, expressed his surprise at this statement, contending that there’s “great admiration” for NRSR in the town and the council had always “acknowledged" the work it does. He also cautioned against providing a second free berth to one organisation and not another.

“There’s other groups who have a free berth who are looking for a second one, the New Ross Boat Club for example,” he said. “We have a waiting list for berths and have to keep a certain amount free for visiting boats. However, if there is an incident we have no issue providing berthage free of charge.”

Cllr Dwyer bridled at the comparison between the boat club and NRSR.

“You could not possibly equate NRSR with a voluntary group that doesn’t do the same work, they provide an essential service to the town,” he said. “They dragged four people alive out of the river because they had two berths.

"There should be national funding available to groups like this; €1500 per search. We should write to the marine minister (Martin Heydon) and explain that these are essential services which should be funded.”

With Cllrs Bridín Murphy and John Fleming agreeing with the proposal to fund the second berth, and Cllr Marty Murphy arguing it should be free of charge, a decision was made to provide a grant for the berth this year and to re-examine the situation in 2027.