Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Family Considers Legal Action Over Kayak Trip Victim

17th May 2011
Family Considers Legal Action Over Kayak Trip Victim
The Irish Independent reports that the family of a man who drowned with a friend on a kayaking trip are considering legal action over the lack of warning signs at the weir where they lost their lives.
Accident investigators have classed the weir at Portlaw on the Clodagh in north Waterford, where Philip Kelly (31) and Connie Smith (31) drowned, as "dangerous and unnavigable" for kayaks and canoes.
Investigators from the Marine Casualty Investigations Board also found that vital lifesaving equipment at the weir, which had been vandalised, was not replaced.
"We feel if signs had been in place that day, warning them how dangerous it was, they would be with us today," Kelly's brother Paddy told the Irish Independent. "We are discussing taking legal action."
The Irish Independent has more on the story HERE.

The Irish Independent reports that the family of a man who drowned with a friend on a kayaking trip are considering legal action over the lack of warning signs at the weir where they lost their lives.

Accident investigators have classed the weir at Portlaw on the Clodagh in north Waterford, where Philip Kelly (31) and Connie Smith (31) drowned, as "dangerous and unnavigable" for kayaks and canoes.

Investigators from the Marine Casualty Investigations Board also found that vital lifesaving equipment at the weir, which had been vandalised, was not replaced.

"We feel if signs had been in place that day, warning them how dangerous it was, they would be with us today," Kelly's brother Paddy told the Irish Independent. "We are discussing taking legal action."

The Irish Independent has more on the story HERE.

Published in Water Safety
MacDara Conroy

About The Author

MacDara Conroy

Email The Author

MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button