Sheep rescued after severe south Mayo flooding

Sheep rescued after severe flooding


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

A Ballinrobe farmer whose sheep had to be rescued due to continued flooding because of poor drainage on the Bulkan river between Ballinrobe and Kilmaine has said works have to be ‘stepped up. Joe Lynagh had to enlist the help of members of the Office of Public Works on May 9 last when 17 of his sheep were at risk of drowning in the townland of Ballyjennings. The sheep came into difficulty after persistent rain paired with poor drainage of the river resulted in severe flooding on Mr Lynagh’s land and surrounding fields. Speaking to The Mayo News, Mr Lynagh said the river was ‘as bad as it was even before the river had been cleaned’.
“It backed up entirely only for the OPW came to rescue them I would have lost sheep. It was a really bad situation,” said Lynagh. The problematic river has resulted in Mr Lynagh and farmers in the town land to having to move livestock from flooded areas. With the help of a number of experienced men from the OPW and neigbours all 17 sheep were rescued over a tense three hour period.
“It was like a lake and it was quite dangerous. The men went in with waders but if you were on your own and fell in the water you could drown,” explained the farmer. Although the flood has somewhat disappeared Mr Lynagh said about a half mile of the river needs to be cleaned.
Lynagh along with over 30 others who are affected by the poor drainage of the river are calling on substantial works to be carried out on the river which serves almost 300 homes on a water scheme.
Fianna FΡil Councillor Damien Ryan said the flooding is ‘an issue that has to be sorted’.
“The river needs real and substantial drainage to improve the flow of water,” said Cllr Ryan.

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