Deputy Mayor of Drogheda, Councillor Kevin Callan has raised concerns about the possibility of a substantial collapse of a section of the town wall at Millmount along the walkway up to the Martello Tower.
Speaking at yesterday’s Borough Meeting, Cllr Callan said that he had just come from a meeting with the Old Drogheda Society on site and that the damage was substantial with clear bulges in the wall suggesting further collapse is imminent.
“The handrail has actually buckled along a further section of the wall and is now out about 4 inches from where it should be” he said.
“This section of wall is over 60 feet high and runs through the middle of Governors House. The building should be closed immediately pending a full structural and engineering survey.
“The walkway up to the tower rests on an arch that is approximately 20 feet high and there is a risk of collapse of this arch. All meeting rooms should be closed until this is looked at in detail.
“I would ask that the council consider giving the Old Drogheda Society and the Museum access to the restaurant building until this situation is rectified”.
Responding to Councillor Callan, Director of Services Joe Mc Guinness said the Council were aware of the issue and were engaging engineers and an architectural conservation expert to resolve the situation that has been a consequence of extremely wet weather.
Cllr Callan thanked the Director for the response and brought a section of smashed slate from the roof of Governors House where masonry had fallen through the roof itself.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Callan said that we must preserve and protect our heritage and a key part of this is to protect every inch of our surviving town wall and gates.
