Local councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice has welcomed the development of a new slipway on the River Suck in Castlerea to aid members of Roscommon Civil Defence in search and rescue missions.
“A number of months ago members of the Civil Defence made contact with me regarding the lack of a slipway in Castlerea to launch their search and rescue river boat,” Cllr. Fitzmaurice said.
“When searching the upper River Suck, boats had to work upstream against difficult currents and launch from Ballymoe, Frenchlawn or Kilkeevin and work towards Castlerea. This is very difficult due to parts of the river being too shallow for an outboard engine to work safely.
“I identified a site near the former River Island Nightclub and I contacted the land owners Linda and Tommy Joyce who generously gave permission and allowed access on their lands for the slipway.
“Roscommon County Council also helped out to clear the way and provide materials and made the slipway. The Area Office staff did a fantastic job.
“I’m delighted we now have a slipway in Castlerea for search and rescue. Let’s hope we never need it again, but if we do, we now have a safe access point to the river in Castlerea allowing boats to work downstream”.
