Flood-fear families ‘at their wits end’

FRUSTRATED Cllr Christy Hyland said the people of Carrowholly in Westport are fearful of the floods of January 2014 being repeated. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Councillors vow to stand by communities that ‘take the law into their own hands’

Anton McNulty

With anger over OPW inaction reaching boiling point, residents in flood-prone areas could take the law into their own hands – and if they do, two councillors at least will wade in behind them.
The Office of Public Works came in for scathing criticism from county councillors at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Mayo County Council for its lack of on-the-ground action in relation to flood prevention in the county.
The meeting was addressed by Claire Butler, the Regional Manager of the OPW, who discussed the latest progress in the ongoing Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study.
During the meeting, Cllr Brendan Mulroy said that he believes the OPW is planning to omit certain areas from future provision of infrastructural support, as such remedial works would cost too much.  Ms Butler confirmed that this is the case.
Cllr Mulroy branded such plans ‘frightening’, and said they meant that people living in these areas were facing serious insurance-coverage consequences.   
Ultimately, Ms Butler’s presentation was met with little enthusiasm from the councillors, who accused the OPW of being top heavy with reports and light on action on the ground.

‘Sick of studies’
Many councillors vented their frustration at the lack of river dredging and cleaning before the winter sets in.
Independent councillor Christy Hyland told the meeting that he and people living in flood-prone areas like Carrowholly had lost patience.
“The people I represent in my district are sick of it, and I’m sick of it. People [in Carrowholly] are facing into another winter for the third year where if we get the three factors of high tides, sea surge and wind, their homes are going to be destroyed. People living in the area are at their wits end wondering what the winter is going to bring.
“The people of Carrowholly are sick of studies. I come from a law abiding background but if they take the law into their own hands to protect their home and property, I will stand by them and support whatever they do,” he said.
His sentiments were supported by fellow independent councillor Michael Holmes, who said that more was done to ‘rehouse’ an otter in Carrowholly than to help the residents in fear of flooding.
He said the rivers and streams are choked by trees and debris and that he believes communities will have to do the work themselves, independent of the OPW.
“Everything is protected now except the human beings who go to bed worrying and worrying if they will be flooded. There is no doubt if a bit of commonsense came into the equation it would be solved. It is the same with Crossmolina – their problem could be solved with commonsense.
“Forget about the reports, they are costing thousands of euro, and they are also costing years of time and delays … If [communities take action and] are prosecuted then so be it, we have all to stand with them. The people have to be protected over and above any other species,” he said.

Deep anger
Last month, residents in Crossmolina were on high alert after heavy rain caused the River Deel to rise to dangerously high levels, sparking fears it would burst its banks. Earlier in the summer, residents had threatened to clean part of the river themselves, but they backed down when the OPW agreed to do the work. However, the work has yet to begin.
Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, local Fianna FΡil councillor Michael Loftus said that the OPW’s inaction has caused deep anger among Crossmolina’s residents.
“We had a flood on September 26, and the worry among the community since then has been frightening. The inaction by the OPW in relation to the River Deel has been frustrating. We have been constantly onto them to clean the river, and nothing has been happening.”
The councillor explained that the OPW has cited the presence of invasive Japanese Knotweed along the river as the reason for the delay. “But that really is an excuse,” he said. “It is so frustrating that the community has come together, but it is the OPW who are not doing the work for us.
“If you don’t do something soon to clean the river, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he explained.
Echoing the voice of the members of his chamber, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Al McDonnell, told Ms Butler that the vast majority of the councillors believed that there had been enough reports and that works urgently need to be carried out.
He demanded that the OPW return to the Council chamber in January along with the other State agencies involved – the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland – to report on their progress in this regard.