Council urged to find new Mayo manager for Lough Carra environmental project

A CASTLEBAR councillor has urged Mayo County Council to find a new manager to continue the work of the LIFE Project on Lough Carra.

Lough Carra LIFE is a five-year project led by Mayo County Council in the Lough Carra catchment area with the objective to work with farmers, other landowners, and local community groups to improve water quality in the lake, as well as restore the Marl Lake habitat and raise the conservation status of other habitats and species within the catchment.

The project had been managed by Kieran Flynn but the monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District heard that he had left his role to take up a new position.

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Carnacon-based councillor Al McDonnell who has been to the forefront in highlighting the decline of habitat on the lake told the meeting it is imperative that a replacement is recruited soon.

“Kieran has moved on now to more greener pastures and the committee [Lough Carra Catchment Association] is anxious that a permanent replacement is found as quickly as possible.

“It took seven months to have Kieran selected and it is difficult to find someone with the qualifications necessary. There is a temporary manager in place now, who is a current employee with Mayo County Council and she is expected to do two jobs and it is not feasible. I would like a response on how urgently his replacement is being sought,” he said.

In response, Director of Services, John Condon said that the LIFE programme is half way through its programme and commended Mr Flynn on the excellent job he did and wished him well in his career.

He added that the process for getting a permanent replacement has commenced and the position will be advertised soon but commented he did not know how long it will take.