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DUBLIN’S SÉAN O’CASEY Bridge, which has been unable to open to shipping for the past four years, was finally re-opened in the past few weeks after experts created a new remote control for the structure.
Commissioned in 2002 by the ill-fated Dublin Docklands Development Authority, the footbridge was constructed to improve pedestrian connections in the city during a time of rapid expansion.
Spanning the Liffey between the IFSC and City Quay, it’s designed to swing apart to allow sail-craft upriver as far as the Talbot Memorial Bridge.
The design includes two 44-metre-long arms, capable of swinging open when required. That operation is controlled by a hand-held remote device — but, as TheJournal.ie reported last year — that device went missing some years ago, meaning openings were no longer possible.
The Authority — which is set to be wound-up in the coming months — moved offices several times in the past few years, and it’s understood the remote (which is about the size of a 1990s-era mobile phone) may have been simply misplaced in the move.
The Sean O’Casey Bridge [Dublin City Council]
Speaking to this website, Financial Advisor to the Authority John Crawley — who was appointed to oversee the wind-up process — confirmed that it was once again possible to open the structure to shipping, following an engineering review. A lack of funding meant the process couldn’t happen until recently, he said.
As part of the overhaul, work has been carried out on the bridge itself, and contractors were tasked with “reprogramming an opening device,” Crawley said.
“Its not like a Sky box remote control.”
You have to make sure that it’s a secure system, so there are layers of security.
An Irish-based firm carried out the reprogramming, and that aspect of the work cost around €1,800, Crawley said.
Engineering work is still continuing, and after further test-work later this month it’s expected the bridge will be fully functional once again.
The DDDA wind-up
Former Environment Minister Phil Hogan announced the wind-up of the DDDA in 2012, following the publication of a damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
It highlighted failings in the Authority’s decision-making processes surrounding its decision to become involved in the purchase of the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend.
The Dublin 4 site was sold to a consortium that included the DDDA in at the height of the property boom in 2006 for €431 million. In the wake of the crash, it was revalued as being worth some €45 million and taken into the control of Nama.
The hand-over
Dublin City Council will officially take over control of the Authority’s functions once legislation enacting that transition goes through the Oireachtas. That’s expected to happen by Easter at the latest.
The Council is set to take over operational responsibility for the Sean O’Casey Bridge after the current works programme is complete.
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“You have to make sure that it’s a secure system, so there are layers of security.” – and knowing where the remote control that operates the bridge isn’t one of the layers??
They should of got one of those universal ones up in Harvey Norman, works on everything.
I bet it’s down the back of the sofa
Four years to make a remote control? Someone in the public sector deserves a raise.
Read the article. Four years to get funding to do the work.
I’m always losing my bridge lifting remote down the back of the sofa
I wonder if they find the original will they own up …or blame the dog ?
I’d say it’s in Berties garage
The operator opening the bridge with the new remote control,
and someone else trying to close the bridge at the same time with the original remote control……
Now that would be funny….
Just another example isn’t it. Is there anything that the Irish aren’t amateurs in?
Not so much the Irish but their amateur and shambolic public services!
why didn’t they have a spare remote ? even the cheapest cars have spare remotes
Nohbujihjghuuhjjnobj
Cars use remotes?
Ah FFS build a bridge and get over it.
When my dad lost the remote control he had us nippers run over and press the buttons for him.
You’re telling me the bridge has no wired controls? That’s proper mental folks.
More craggy island carry on from those in the public service,layers of security around bridge opening and they lost the only remote control?and it takes 4 years to remedy- bet you €100 they still only have one remote- clowns.
They have the remote tied to a brick!!!
Is there not an app for it?
There is a polish guy called Andrej who does Renault keys.
Would have done it for €50 I reckon.
I don’t believe a word of this story.
I do.
Doesn’t surprise me one bit.
DDDA was run by idiots, most of whom were FF cronies.
Did you need to publish that picture-with HIM-just when I was feeling euphoric after the big demo yesterday.??
What big demo?
Look at the clown standing there.. Everything he touched was fooked anyway..
They could have replaced the unit with a key system for about 200 euro including labour
3 civil servants taking 4 days to decide which lock smith to use 1200 euro. 6 snivel servants taking 2 weeks to carry out risk assessment 2000 euro. 3 snivel servants to check no wildlife will be disturbed 1700 euro…. Etc…etc
Should have went up town & asked one of the hoodies to open it for them ,,,, they can get into cars in 20 seconds ,,,, DURE give the lads a score and they were sorted ,,,,,, haha
The engineering firm that closed the bridge last month appear to have goofed up. When the bridge reopened it failed to join up flush so there is a lip of about half an inch protruding on gangway (towards north side). Accident waiting to happen I thought.
Then . . .on Friday I seen a lady take a heavy fall, badly injure her toe and send her phone flying (probably smashed). Probably happening to people all day.
I don’t think it would have taken a genius to bypass all the “layers of security”. Sure what could opening a bridge involve? Hydraulics and electrics? I bet it was the layers of civil servants and bulls*#t that prevented it being opened. There was probably a small bit of it stuck in the joint that caused the lip!
After reading this I had to check the calendar to make sure it was April 1st. Seriously why has nobody been fired for this debacle, we are a laughing stock as usual.
so if a building up the quay went up in flames we couldn’t have gotten a fireboat up the river to assist. then we’d have a story.
the real scandal is the eur54 million cost of the bridge structure alone wich we bought from the dutch plus the construction costs. totally unnecessary.
what fire boat????
The tugs in the lotto ad have water canons ;)
It’s like something from father ted only on ireland
I’d just love to know how much the replacement cost.
1800, did you not read the full report??
You’re a bit mad Colin, aren’t you…
In fairness that €1800 is just the “reprogramming”. I’m sure it cost more
The best story ever – losing a frigging remote xD
I also want to know what “reprogramming” entails and how “layers of security” cost just €1,800 to “reprogram”. That’s not even one days work for a consultancy. Your nephew might give you 5 days for that.
That’s exactly what I was thinking! I would have expected it to cost tens of thousands. That is, of course, unless it only has two buttons – open, close – and no security.
It works on my Sony Bravia 55″.
Paddy whackery at its finest
Plonkers
Did I just read that ? They lost the remote ?, and therefore couldn’t operate the bridge.
Could have got one in the Euro shop.
Anyway since when is it just a footbridge?
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