The gates of Dublin Fish Market remained locked yesterday as controversy grew over claims by Dublin Corporation that its roof is in a dangerous condition.
Truck drivers with fresh fish arrived at the market yesterday morning to find the gates closed. They alerted wholesale fish suppliers who operate from the market and then blocked surrounding roads.
At 6 a.m., the gates were unlocked so the truckers could deliver. At 7 a.m., Dublin Corporation circulated a letter to traders and market tenants stating that the market, which has operated behind the Four Courts in Dublin for over 100 years, would have to close.
The chairman of the Fish Traders Association, Mr Tommy O'Callaghan, says he and other Dublin Fish Market traders do not accept the roof is beyond repair.
He says on the advice of their solicitors they will be getting a structural engineer to assess the structure.
In a meeting with Mr O'Callaghan yesterday evening, the principal officer of Dublin Corporation's development department, Mr Vincent Norton, admitted that yesterday's closure of the market had been an error "due to a misunderstanding" The market could remain open for now.
Mr O'Callaghan said he was relieved but this did not solve the market's problems.
"As landlords, the corporation has been washing its hands of us. We thought that when we got this letter it was a real Pontius Pilate situation."
He said the corporation had allowed the market building to fall into disrepair.
"We have been battling for 25 years in relation to the condition of this traditional market; it would be a shame if it was lost to the city."
He said yesterday's meeting had been productive and the traders were now considering possible sites for relocation.
Mr Naughton said that the corporation's primary concern was public safety.
He said the market could remain open until his next meeting with Mr O'Callaghan on November 1st but would have to close `if there was any indication of imminent danger".
