Call For Future Plans for Irish Lights to Be On The Table.
“The time has come for the Commissioners for Irish Lights (CIL) to outline to the local community what progress, if any, has been made regarding the future of St John’s Point Lighthouse,” said Sinn Féin South DSown MP Chris Hazzard.
Speaking following a decision by Newry Mourne and Down Council to invite local campaigners into the Council to present the overwhelming case for protecting the local historical landmark, Mr Hazzard said: “I welcome this initiative by Newry Mourne & Down District Council to invite the Lecale Lightkeepers campaign group to present to Council representatives – this should have happened alongside the Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL) briefing to Council a number of months ago but better late than never.
“Back in 2015, when plans leaked out that the CIL wanted to remove the sweeping beam from St John’s Point Lighthouse the local community were both shocked and angry that such an act of vandalism could be permitted on one of our most special local heritage assets.
“Since then a vibrant local campaign has engaged with political representatives in Downpatrick, Belfast, and Dublin and the Commissioners themselves in an effort to protect the historic sweeping beam. We were successful in securing a two year reprieve.
“Following this reprieve, a motion to Council won the overwhelming support of the public representatives in April 2018 in which the Council were mandated to ‘protect the sweeping beam in its current form’.
“Four years after the local community were inadvertently made aware of CIL’s plans to crudely modify St John’s Point Lighthouse, we still have no firm proposals from CIL. That is unacceptable.
“On the back of the Lecale Lightkeeper’s presentation to Council in the weeks ahead, CIL should make the necessary arrangements to engage with the local community as a matter of priority.
“Continuing to keep the public in the dark over the future of St John’s Point Lighthouse only stiffens our resolve to protect our local heritage.”
Council Says CIL To Meet With Campaigners.
A Newsry Mourne and Down District Council spokesperson said: “Council advises that St John’s Point Lighthouse is owned and operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and is not a council-owned facility. Over the past 14 months Council Officers have communicated with the Commissioners of Irish Lights via correspondence and in meetings to raise concerns with regards plans to alter and update St John’s Point Lighthouse.
“A councillor workshop was held with the Commissioners of Irish Lights on 11 January 2019 in Downshire Civic Centre and in an update to members at the ERT Committee meeting held on Monday 10 June Officers confirmed the Council would host a workshop at which representatives from the ‘Lecale Lightkeepers’ campaign group will be invited to present to Councillors and Council Officers regarding St John’s Lighthouse.
“As plans to update the lighthouse are of particular concern to local residents, Council Officers understand that the Commissioner of Irish Lights will convene a public meeting in the district to allow representation from the local community to allow views to be heard and considered in relation to the Commissioners’ future plans for St John’s Point.”
