A bridge too far: Move to end jumping from Ballina bridge into river has been welcomed

Nenagh Municipal District Council is to amend the bylaws it applies in lakeside areas around Lough Derg to include a new prohibition on jumping off the bridge in Ballina / Killaloe.

Cllr Phyll Bugler welcomed the move announced at the September meeting of Nenagh MDC, saying there had been complaints in regard to the very real risks posed to young people who were seen jumping into the River Shannon off the bridge during summer months.

There were “lethal rocks” on the river bed that posed a serious risk to those jumping and the river current in the locality was very strong and posed a risk to life, she said.

The proposed change to the bylaw is to be advertised in the local media and it is hoped to have the new prohibition in force for next summer.