Call for banning of jet skis from popular Inishowen beach renewed

An Inishowen county councillor has called for the use of jet skis to be prohibited at a popular beach near Moville.

Cllr Martin Farren has hit out at the erection of a sign at Glenburnie beach in Carnagarve which provides guidelines for jet ski users and has called for their use there to be prohibited.

The beach was the scene of an accident in 2010 when a teenage girl was injured when the jet ski she was using crashed into rocks while bathers were in the water nearby. The accident led to calls for the use of jet skis to be banned at beaches in the area, which are popular with bathers in the summer months.

Derry dance academy prepare for Spring Carnival parade

Speaking at the March meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District, Cllr Farren said his attention had been drawn at the weekend to the erection of the sign.

“A place like Glenburnie beach isn't a place where jet skis should be launched”, the Labour councillor said, adding that there are two slipways at Moville pier that are more suitable.

He said he wanted the sign taken away “immediately” and replaced with one saying that jet skis are prohibited.

“It is a very family-friendly beach and a lot of families go there and swim through the summer months.”

Referring to the accident in 2010, Cllr Farren said there could have been fatalities. 

“I had experience of it a few years ago and I don’t want the same thing to happen again.

“This cannot be allowed to happen,” he said. “They cannot be launching jet skis in or around that area.”