Councillor James Kelly was angered by the lack of action by Laois County Council surrounding the flooding in Mountrath.
Cllr Kelly made his point at the January Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting last Thursday.
“Funding applications, resourses available and subject to funding are well and good, but the flooding in Mountrath could have been avoided”, said Cllr Kelly.
He went on to claim that the flooding in Mountrath was partially caused by the pipes under Patrick Street bridge and under Shannon Street, and also pipes near the school yard. All the pipes are blocked by silt according to Cllr Kelly.
Cllr Paddy Bracken supported Cllr Kelly’s call for immediate works to begin and to alleviate the impending threat to the area of flooding.
Senior engineer John McLoughlin gave a reply saying “Laois County Council will inspect the river at the requested locations, following which the works identified can be listed for funding applications and action within the resources available and subject to approval of the relevant conseting/consulting authorities”.
These flooding concerns in Mountrath have added to the growing concern in the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District as this week Mountmellick residents are fearing a repeat of the flooding before Christmas.
SEE ALSO – Council in talks over over vacant properties on Main Street in Portlaoise
