In the north-east, Louth County Council has summoned Drogheda Port Company to a council meeting to answer questions relating to the decommissioned dredging vessel Hebble Sand.

The 1963 grapple dredger that was decommissioned and partially sank off Drogheda’s North Quay in 2022 has now been removed from the River Boyne. However, as LMFM reports, the council wants to find out why it has taken so long to recover the refloated 757-tonne veteran vessel.

According to Cathaoirleach Kevin Callan, the ship may have caused environmental problems due to its long layover at the city quay. Afloat adds that the quay is part of the port and its main terminal is downstream.

“It was indeed an eyesore in the heart of Drogheda and I am glad it has finally been removed. But the ship sank in the river in September 2022, so I and some of the elected representatives are very keen to hear from Drogheda Port Company what has caused the delays.”

He added: “I think it is very, very important that this is discussed and that we get answers as to why it has taken so long to remove this vessel from the River Boyne and from an area where it could have had a serious impact on the environment and the estuary and a nature reserve.”

The dredger originally worked in the ports of the east coast of Ireland, initially in the port of Dundalk, but was originally used in the UK for Associated British Ports.