A PSNI investigation into alleged damage of Newry Canal has now been put forward for a potential prosecution.
The waterway opened in 1742 is one of the oldest man made canals in Europe originally used to transport coal and is now a protected scheduled monument.
Concerns were raised (Nov 2023) on alleged damage to an area of the canal banks with a police file now confirmed to be with the public prosecution service (PPS) for a decision.
A PPS spokesperson said:”We received an investigation file from police on the 18th of November 2025 in relation to an incident of alleged unauthorised works to a scheduled monument.
“This is under active consideration by a senior public prosecutor and decisions will be issued in due course after a careful consideration of all the available evidence.”
Under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995, it is unlawful to disturb, damage or destroy a scheduled monument.
In 2024, a Lisburn building contractor was fined £50k for demolishing a historic scheduled monument in Co Antrim, when he destroyed a set of 19th century lime kilns on land he owned in Moneybroom.
More recently in September this year, a Co Antrim farmer was fined £2,000 for unauthorised works to a scheduled monument field system, which has existed for more than 1,000 years
The Department for Communities’ (DfC) Historic Environment Division (HED) works with justice partners and other bodies such as Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) planning team to effect change around violations to scheduled monuments.
The HED records, protects, conserves and promotes Northern Ireland’s historic environment.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) response (Dec 2025) about the alleged violation to Newry Canal, DfC said: “HED is a consultee on planning applications and has further confirmed there is an ongoing operation to remove structures which have allegedly violated the scheduled status.
“Regarding unauthorised works to this scheduled monument , the HED has contacted the council and continues to engage to address these issues through our role as a statutory consultee.
“HED does not comment on live investigations.
“Within their district the canal is owned by NMDDC and they are the primary body responsible for managing and protecting it.”
In an FoI on the matter, NMDDC was asked if it had ordered the removal of any structure that had potentially violated the scheduled monument in a known location.
The local authority (Dec 2025) responded: “The council does not hold the information requested.”
