Successful 'over-staying' prosecution

TWO boat owners have been successfully prosecuted for over-staying on 48 hours moorings—but alas not by Canal & River Trust.

Waterways Ireland has successfully prosecuted two boat owners who flouted the 48 hours moorings on  Lough Erne, mooring at the Round O in Enniskillen for more than two days, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Pleaded guilty

The owners Laurence Connor and Barry Mohan pleaded guilty, but being a first offence, received a caution and undertook to comply with the bye-laws in the future, paying the court costs.

This was not the only time that the two had broken the bye-law and moored at the popular moorings for longer that the permitted time, but Waterways Ireland brought the prosecution after complaints by other boaters that they could not moor because of the two boats.

No option

Brian D'Arcy, Waterways Ireland's Director of Operations explained:

"Waterways Ireland had no option but to prosecute following the increasing numbers of local boat owners abusing moorings provided for visiting tourist boats.

"Waterways Ireland provides moorings free of charge to enable tourists and touring boat owners to access attractions and services, particularly in Enniskillen, where the moorings facilitate the tourism economy as boaters spend in shops and restaurants; reduced access means less income for the town."

Should be more active

Many boaters feel that CART should be more active in prosecuting those over-staying, especially with the ever growing number of 'continuous moorers' who take up such as 48 hour moorings for weeks on end. leaving little space for either visiting boats on the genuine continuous cruisers.