Major angling competition moved from Offaly due to level of Grand Canal

A MAJOR fishing competition - the Irish Canal Masters - which was due to take place in Daingean this Sunday, July 13, has been switched to Monasterevin on the advice of Inland Fisheries.

The canal at Daingean is down two feet below normal level and there is serious concern for fish welfare.

The whole level of the canal between Ticknevin lock and Ballycommon lock is down two feet, with Daingean situated in the middle of this stretch.

"This is the worst it has ever been and conflicting reports are being pushed out as reasons for this but a deepening underbelly is raising serious concerns about the future of fishing in the area," said James Delaney, Chairman, Monasterevin and Fisherstown Match Anglers.

Mr Delaney is also Chairman of the Irish Canal Masters Championship, a founder member of Irish Canal Anglers Association and is the angling liaison officer with Daingean Development for the creation of angling centre in the town.

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Mr Delaney outlined that "over the last few years water levels have dropping each year during summer months culminating in the canal being down inches inches last year for most of the summer, but that has become insignificant compared to this year."

"In the latter part of May the canal was dropped around 10 inches. Enquires led us to believe there was an issue pumping water into the level as pumps were not working. Slowly over the month of June the canal became lower and lower and because catching fish became more difficult in gin clear, shallow water clogged with weed."

Mr Delaney revealed that English anglers visiting for the Edenderry Canal Fishing Festival are threatening not to return.

"The canal is impassable for boats and sunny days, coupled with shallow water, has meant the canal is choked with weed."

He outlined that their investigations led them to a leak last year on the canal and they have now discovered a far worse leak has occurred in recent days due to sabotage.

"Yet addressing this problem has meant a 'temporary fix' has been put into place last Friday but as of this week it is now starting to leak again," he revealed.

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"Whilst millions of euro were found for blueways and greenways it will defeat the object if the funding was not in place to maintain the canals they follow. Long before these pathways, anglers and boat people were seen along these canals but that seems to have dwindled with the tunnel vision of these pathways by Government officials."

Mr Delaney added: "We could all flourish together, but if the canals dry up and the wildlife disappears then nobody will want to want walk down these desolate pathways."