#DLHarbour - Concerns have been raised over apparent damage to the East and West Piers in Dun Laoghaire Harbour that may be worse than previously estimated.
Visibly damaged stonework lies at the waterline of the West Pier roundhead some four weeks after Storm Emma resulted in “substantial damage” to the East Pier, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
One large part of the concrete and stone ‘apron’ just before the roundhead, estimated at 50 tons, appears to have been upended and moved as much as 40 metres.
There are growing fears that this surface damage may indicate further damage undermining the structure of the pier roundhead
Evidence of subsidence is also visible above the low water line on the outside pace of the roundhead, which may also be a result of last month’s storm.
There are growing fears that this surface damage may indicate further damage undermining the structure of the pier roundhead — a problem that could be exacerbated by thrusters of cruise liners should proposals for a new berth come to fruition, it has been suggested.
It is not known what repair works would be required, though the issue of potential effects on the roundheads was raised during the oral hearing on the cruise berth plans more than two years ago.
Afloat.ie understands that the last time a significant breach of the harbour’s piers occurred was during the ‘great storm’ of November 1915.