OPW accused of negligence after further Carrowholly delays

Anton McNulty

THE Office of Public Works (OPW) have been accused of negligence after councillors were informed there will be further delays to the implementation of flood defences in Carrowholly.
In January 2014, storms and high tides caused the flooding of homes in Rosmindle, between Carrowholly and Kilmeena, and cut off some residents.
Since then plans for flood defences have been continuously delayed for a number of reasons and councillors were informed yesterday (Monday) there will be further delays.
Senior engineer with Mayo County Council, Padraig Walsh, told members of the West Mayo Municipal District that they met with the OPW and were informed the project was larger than they predicted.
“Their (OPW) original view of the scheme was that it could be dealt under their minor works programme and it was assessed on that basis. Over a period of time it emerged it was a far more complex and a bigger scheme than could be accommodated under the minor works programme. It has become a major design scheme which is far more onerous regarding a technical study and cost benefit standards and a whole series of different standards apply. It is a change of the OPW’s view of the scheme which we unfortunately have fallen foul of,” he explained.
Mr Walsh said as a result of the OPW’s view of the scheme, the Council have had to review their flood study.
There was anger among the Westport based councillors at yesterday’s meeting, which was held in Ionad Deirbhle in Eachleim.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said if the OPW had listened to the local residents from the beginning they would not be in position and feels people should lose their jobs over it.
“They misinterpreted the situation and they created a problem in Carrowholly and have made it worse. What will happen is a report will go in and we will have to wait a few more years because they would not listen to the people of Carrowholly. It’s not good enough and if it was any other walk of life people would be sacked,”he said.
Cllr Christy Hyland said the OPW have been negligent from day one and said the residents are taking legal advice on the matter. He said they have been ‘living in fear’ of flooding for the last four years.