Safety concerns on Skellig Micheal to Be discussed at Wordl Heritage Committee

Safety concerns about Skellig Michael off the County Kerry coast are to be discussed at the next session of the world heritage committee. 

The move follows the deaths last year of two US citizens who fell to their deaths on Skellig Michael, one of Europe's oldest monastic islands. 

The families of Joseph Gaughan and Christine Spooner have now initiated legal proceedings against the state.  Richard Spooner the husband of Christine Spooner wrote a critique of an independent safety review commissioned by the Office of Public works (OPW) after both deaths. 

In his critique Mr Spooner claimed that the families main concern was the safety of future visitors and they were determined to improve safety measures on Skellig Michael, a sixth century monastic island located 12km off the County Kerry coast. 

Richard Spooner, supported by the Gaughan family, described the report as “deeply flawed” and called for its withdrawal. 

He sent the 15-page document to the OPW, the Minister of State for Public Works Dr Martin Mansergh and the Minister for the Environment John Gormley. 

It has also been sent to officers at UNESCO, the body that designated the island a world heritage site in 1996 because of its monastic buildings. 

A spokesperson for UNESCO claimed this week that they would discuss such concerns at their meeting in Brazil from July 25 to August 3. 

The spokesperson also confirmed that UNESCO is sending the letter of concern to the Permanent Delegation of Ireland to UNESCO for comments as well as the international council on Monuments and Sites.

by Sean Ryan