HC Deb 29 May 1906 vol 158 cc295-6
MR. HALPIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that P. Tyrrel, of Arklow, aged twenty-two years, was drowned at Merchants' Quay, Kilrush, on March 16th, 1890, and that the coroner's jury added a rider to its finding expressing their deepest censure on whoever is responsible for the lighting and better protection of Merchants' Quay, Kilrush, and drawing attention to the number of deaths that have occurred in the past few years from the negligence referred to; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent the quay being kept in such a neglected condition, without light or protection for those who have to do business on it at night.

MR. GLADSTONE

I beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. I have seen a copy of the finding of the coroner's jury and of the rider in the case referred to, and I have, as I promised in my reply to the hon. Member on March 27th,† obtained a further report on the place. As the result of representations made by His Majesty's Inspector the dangerous parts of the quay have been fenced, and steps are † See (4) Debates, cliv., 1083–4. being taken to provide life-buoys, to erect lamps to light the quay and the road leading to it and to put a chain along the dock-wall. I am informed, however, that only two drowning fatalities have occurred at this place since 1846.