Editorial: Move to ban 'bridge jumping' on river Kilkenny may prove challenging to implement

A move to regulate swimming in the River Nore and to immediately ban the practice of diving from John's Bridge and the Lady Desart Bridge is certainly a conversation worth having, but implementing by-laws and then actually enforcing them may prove a considerable challenge.

The notice of motion, brought by Cllr David Fitzgerald (FG), to be heard at the July meeting of Kilkenny City Municipal District on Friday, aims to do just that. A second, broader notice of motion, by Cllr John Coonan, calls for a more to be done to discourage and prevent incidents of anti-social and intimidating behaviour adjacent to the river.

The fine spell of weather this summer has seen a greater use of the river than in many years previously. It is a public amenity, and people should be able to enjoy it, as many swimmers do at designated bathing areas, during events like the Nore Swim, and on boats and kayaks.

But there has also been a notable increase in large groups of young people congregating around Lady Desart Bridge and John’s Bridge – jumping and diving in. There are potential dangers; the height is considerable, the water level lower than usual, and there are a number of hidden obstacles - including shopping trolleys and traffic cones - in the water.

The egress ladders are also small and narrow, and presumably not designed with regular, recreational use intended on this scale. No one wants to be the fun police, but equally, no one wants something tragic to occur.

But, even if a ban on jumping from the bridge is implemented, how would it be enforced? And, will it just mean people moving slightly further down, and jumping from the railings on the bank, or the wall on the other side – as they often do anyway?

The wider issue of preventing anti-social behaviour along the river is more straightforward – it will require gardaí on the beat, on foot, enforcing the law. Any sunny day, public consumption of alcohol is evident along the linear walk and river parks. It is often accompanied by loud music played on speakers, and considerable waste and rubbish left behind.

The Bateman Quay area was one singled out for its untidiness in the recent IBAL report which saw Kilkenny lose its ‘Clean’ status. Drug dealing has also been observed in these public spaces, while they are also frequented by children illegally riding e-scooters – another issue that merits crackdown.

Meaningful, visible policing of these areas is key to the presentation of our city, and to the enjoyment thereof for locals and visitors alike.