15/08/2008

Workers Rescued From Warrenpoint Harbour

An investigation is set to get underway later today into how two men came to fall into Carlingford Lough while working on a construction project.

The pair have been rescued from Warrenpoint Harbour after the structure they were working on collapsed into the sea.

The contract workers were undertaking a deepening project at the harbour, yesterday evening, when they fell into the sea.

The men were rescued by a passing ferry and taken to the nearby Daisy Hill hospital.

They were later discharged with minor injuries.

Peter Conway, of Warrenpoint Harbour, said both men had been using safety equipment.

"They were both wearing life-jackets and the life-jackets automatically inflated when they fell into the water.

"So the Harbour Authority emergency plan was put into operation and the men were rescued from the sea with the help of a local ferry which was passing at the time," added Mr Conway.

Meanwhile, the town's sea front has also been in the news this week as a small stretch of Warrenpoint's shoreline lies at the centre of a planning clash between developers and the local port authority.

Controversial plans for a £30m mixed-use development have been lodged with the Planning Appeals Commission.

It is expected to make a ruling by the end of August, but Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and Newry Enterprise Agency have both lodged objections.

Carneyhaugh Developments has proposed building a hotel, tourist information centre, public boardwalk, retail units and housing at the site, which lies on the shore on the town side of the Narrow Water roundabout.

It also says it will work with Northern Ireland Environment Agency to create enhanced salt marsh habitat.

The group says it will create around 200 new jobs and boost Warrenpoint's status as a tourism, commercial and recreational destination and location for family living. It hopes to have the work complete in time for the proposed opening of the Narrow Water Bridge in 2011.

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said there is nowhere else for the port to expand in future as the opposite end of the harbour lies close to the town centre.

Chief Executive Peter Conway said: "Warrenpoint is the second port in Northern Ireland and the fifth on the island of Ireland and it is expanding.

"We want to ensure that the potential for development of the port is not restricted so that land would be available for us to expand."

(PR)(BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 November 2008
Warrenpoint Marina Development Viability Study Launched
A feasibility study to assess the merits of developing a marina in Warrenpoint has been started. Newry and Mourne District Council has teamed up with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and commissioned a study to look at the possibility of providing a state-of-the-art maritime facility in the popular Co Down tourist spot.
04 December 2017
Investigation Launched Following Sudden Death In Newry
Police have launched an investigation following the sudden death of a man in Newry. The man, aged in his 30s, was found in a property in the Old Warrenpoint Road area just before 9.30am on Sunday, 03 December. A post mortem examination is to be carried out to determine the cause of death.
01 May 2009
'Point' Port Boosted
There's been a celebration is the south Down port of Warrenpoint this week as the NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially opened a new £5million harbour facility.
06 September 2002
Minister opens new distribution facility at Harbour Estate
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has welcomed the opening of a multi-million pound, state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution facility at Dargan Road, Belfast Harbour Estate.
12 December 2018
Warrenpoint Port Cancels Plans To Dump Dredged Material
Warrenpoint Port has confirmed that it will not be going ahead with proposals to dump dredged material inside Carlingford Lough due to environmental concerns. The Port had announced plans to investigate the viability of dumping dredged material near the mouth of the lough instead of taking it much further out to sea for disposal.