This article is from page 4 of the 2006-04-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CRIPPLING legal costs have forced Doolin-based company, Aran Islands Fast Ferries, to cease their operations at Doolin.
The company has claimed it will use its liquidated assets in order to take a case against the Department of the Marine to the European Court.
They say the Department has refused to allow them operate their boat, the Galway Bay, out of Doolin, on the grounds that it is too large.
Three years ago, the company moved to break the dominance of Doolin Ferries on the lucrative tourism routes to the Aran Islands.
The rivalry prompted tensions between the two, resulting in Clare Council Council last year enacting by-laws for the regulation of affairs at the harbour and numerous court appearances involving the two businesses.
However, Dick Grant confirmed to The Clare People yesterday that Aran Islands Fast Ferries would no longer be offering a service out of Doolin, due to costs associated with their forthcoming legal bid and from various previous legal battles.
“The company has had seven trips to the Circuit Court, nine trips to the High Court and another two trips to the district and circuit involving Clare County Council. We just want a level playing field, but the legal costs have been crippling.
“She is a perfect vessel, but the Department won’t let the boat operate from Doolin because they claim that the boat is too big. I am very disappointed and so is John-Joe Fitzpatrick. It’s tragic really and I am heartbroken after all the effort that we have put into it.”
Mr Grant said that the struggle to get Aran Islands Fast Ferries established at Doolin has been “a long miserable battle.”
Asked if he would be involved in operating a passenger ferry service out of Doolin, Mr Grant said, “I can’t see it in my lifetime.” Mr Grant said that he did not know the cost of the various legal battles. He said, “I don’t know, but it is colossal.”
The move by Aran Islands Fast Ferries to cease operating at Doolin now leaves three companies operating out of Doolin – the two separate companies operated by Bill and Kevin O’Brien and Cliffs of Moher cruises, who also offer services to the Aran Islands.