Northern Ireland

Probe underway into 'significant breach' damage at 300-year-old Newry Canal

Newry Canal is now a scheduled monument. Picture: Newry.NL
Newry Canal is now a scheduled monument. Picture: Newry.NL Newry Canal is now a scheduled monument. Picture: Newry.NL

AN investigation is underway by a Stormont department after damage was caused to Newry’s 300-year-old canal structure.

Opened in 1742, the waterway running through Newry is the oldest man-made canal in Ireland and the UK, and was originally built to transport coal.

The canal is now a scheduled monument, and a local Newry resident has reported a "significant breach" at part of the waterway known as Dodds Lock - one of the canal's 14 locks.

John McCabe said the incident was "deeply concerning" and said it was "very important that the public remains vigilant in observing and reporting suspected violation of our historic scheduled monuments, such as Newry Canal".

The Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division (HED) is responsible for protecting historic sites, and has launched a probe into the reported incident.

“The department is aware of a reported breach of the scheduled area of the historic Newry Canal at this site and is investigating," a spokesperson said.

“Breaches of scheduled areas are considered under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. Under the Order it is unlawful to disturb, damage or destroy a scheduled monument.

“We do not normally comment on the specific details of ongoing investigations.”

Upon HED archaeology experts visiting the lock, it was confirmed in a letter to Mr McCabe that "the site visit and recently updated aerials do suggest a breach in the scheduled area".

The letter adds: “We have no record of being consulted by a planning application.”

The cause of the damage is not yet known.

The reported damage follows an oil spill in Newry Canal in March that caused damage to wildlife in the waterway.

Following the spill, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said it worked with the NI Environment Agency to contain the pollution.

Read more: Environmental damage to historic Newry canal being assessed as polluters remain unidentified