Flooding lakes plugged

RELIEF AT LAST Gerard McGough and Mick Butler pictured with Sean Joyce, Kilmaine, as the last few pipes were backfilled yesterday (Monday) to relieve the winter flooding from the Thomastown Turlough Kilmaine. Pic: Michael Donnelly

Flooding lakes plugged

Claire Egan

A TWENTY-YEAR campaign by a south Mayo resident to have drainage works carried out on turlough lakes located near his home has come to a water-tight conclusion.
The Clyard and Thomastown turloughs at Kilmaine underwent drainage works by the OPW and Mayo County Council following last winter’s extensive flooding in the area.
Sean Joyce, a retired postman and resident of Ballinacarra had petitioned the local authority since 1986 to carry out drainage works at the turloughs, which overflowed on an annual basis causing damage to the surrounding land and flooding the road to his home.
“We are now expecting a dry winter here in Ballinacarra. I am delighted that, following persistent pressure, the OPW and Mayo County Council decided to at last carry out drainage works on the turloughs which for years and years had overflown and flooded the area. I am looking forward to a flood-free road. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Patsy O’Brien and also all of the landowners who consented to have works carried out on their lands. I am very grateful for all the help,” said Sean.
Last winter, south Mayo suffered extensive flood damage due to high levels of heavy rainfall over a number of weeks. Households and farms were badly affected during one of the worst periods of flooding in the region’s history.
While drainage works have rectified the situation in the Kilmaine area, no conclusive solution has been found for flooding in The Neale and Hollymount areas.
At yesterday’s (Monday) Ballinrobe Electoral Area meeting, OPW officials confirmed that a topographical study of the flood plains of The Neale has yet to be undertaken by a Dutch-based company.  Ironically, the company has been unable to carry out a serious photographic study of The Neale because of poor weather conditions.
It was also confirmed that, while drainage routes for flood relief channels in the Hollymount and Roundfort areas have been provisionally identified, it will be a number of weeks before works commence.