'War' promised if west Mayo river is not cleaned

A REPORT into the cleaning of a river in west Mayo has been described as 'bunkum' with one councillor promising a war if it is not cleaned.

The cleaning of rivers has become a contentious subject in parts of west Mayo with many councillors claiming that flooding on large swathes of farmland over the winter would have been prevented if the local rivers had been cleaned.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Carrowholly-based councillor John O'Malley dismissed a report on the cleaning of the Mayour River in Kilmeena as 'bunkum'.

The report also stated that the local authority will appoint an ecologist to look into the possibility of cleaning the river but Cllr O'Malley said he would not accept anything other than having it cleaned.

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“I don't like that word ecologist because they do whatever they are asked to do and I don't believe that will be an independent person who will come in and look at it. I don't like the idea of one when there is no need for them.

“I don't agree with this [report] but let me assure you that if the ecologist comes up and says it cannot be done there will be war. I can guarantee you that I will not be given up until that river is cleaned. It has to be cleaned because it is causing awful problems,” the Independent councillor said.

He was supported by Independent Ireland councillor Chris Maxwell who dismissed a suggestion that a stakeholders group should be formed in Louisburgh to look into dealing with flooding from the Carrowniskey River.

“All the people want there is to get the trees cut. We don't want to set up a stakeholders group, we want action and diggers in there and get the bushes cut to relieve funding. Those people are in a desperate situation at the top of the river and it is not right to be talking about setting up a stakeholders group. The people want the trees cut and it is no less than they deserve.

“Just get the job done. Action is what is required and not another talking shop and setting up stakeholder,” he said.

Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy added that he fears that one of the bridges in the Mall in Westport may be washed away but to flooding and called for parts of the Carrowbeg river to be cleaned.