Clare County Council has confirmed that boats can be launched from the slipway at White Strand in Miltown Malbay following confusion over alleged changes to area bye-laws.
Local boaters had contacted Afloat.ie to express concern over claims that the slipway the community have used for generations was suddenly closed to power craft without consultation.
“There’s uproar in the local community to say the least,” said one local. “It’s been a public right of access for boats for generations and the only one the village has.”
Beach bye-laws available from the Clare County Council website make no reference to any recent change prohibiting launches of power craft from White Strand.
When contacted for a response, Clare County Council made clear that the local community has no current cause for concern and may launch and retrieve from the slipway as usual.
“Clare County Council is currently reviewing the process of the new bye law amendments,” it said. “While this administrative/legal review takes place, the 2016 beach bye laws will be reverted to, allowing the launch of boats at the slipway at White Strand.”