'Famous' whale carcass continues to cause a stink on Waterford beach
Whale at Ballincalmper Dungarvan. Picture by John Foley.
A councillor at the March meeting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council has renewed an appeal for the council to remove a whale carcass washed up in West Waterford.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Nugent said they need to deal with the “famous” dead whale outside Clonea.
“He has not gone away. He is starting to smell greatly.
“We have to think of the longer term on a blue flag beach. The situation is it is up on the bank, and the landowner will allow a machine to go in as far as the edge of the bank and take it out,” said Cllr Nugent.
Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes said it is still difficult to access the site, but they will look at it again.
The whale carcass in question has become a regular feature at the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council meetings since it washed up in January.
Councillors have called for the whale to be removed as it poses a health safety risk in the area.
They say in addition to the disease risk, people are trying to get to the body, and someone may get hurt.
The council is responsible for the disposal of the animal but says it is too difficult and costly to remove.
The council and the Irish Dolphin and Whale Group issued appeals when the remains first washed up, for the public to refrain from approaching it.
It was hoped the carcass would get carried back out to sea during storm Éowyn but that was not to be.
Last month, Mr Hynes said they intended to allow “natural processes” to proceed and perhaps as it breaks down, the remains will be washed out.
But as of yet, the body remains stubbornly on the beach.
Read more about the story of the whale here
To view more photos of the dead animal click here.
