Sandbags have been put in place in Mountmellick as the threat of flooding looms again in the town.
Councillor Paddy Bracken told the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal meeting this week that a large tree has become lodged in the river in the town, heightening concerns of further flooding.
He had a motion before the meeting asking the council to “pursue all sources of funding to address the severe damage/hardship experienced by the people of Mountmellick, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Ballyfin and surrounding areas”.
Director of services Donal Brennan replied that during the flooding the council made the public aware of the supports available from the Department of Social Protection for qualifying home owners and also through the Red Cross scheme for businesses.
The council has also been liaising with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to recovery of costs incurred by the council itself.
“We have to get funding. We have heavy rain again and have sand bags back again. A monster of a tree has been washed down the river,” he said.
Devastating
“There could be devastating consequences again,” he said.
He said blockages in the river need to be tackled once and for all.
Mr Brennan told the meeting that they want Mountellick brought “way up to the top” on funding for those affected by the flooding.
“For the Local Area Plan for Mountmellick, you can effectively draw a red line around the town because there won’t be a house built until these flooding issues are addressed,” he said.
Works will have to begin immediately to resolve flooding, he said.
Cllr Bracken noted that €2 million has been earmarked under the flood relief scheme, which requested a breakdown of.
Mr Brennan said he would get clarity on the funding.
SEE ALSO – People should be prioritised over fish – Cllr King
The LaoisToday 2017 Annual is now on sale in bookshops and newsagents around the county – this is where you can buy it
