Roscommon farmer (90s) forced to sell livestock as lake floods his land

An elderly Co Roscommon farmer has been forced to sell his livestock as flooding from a nearby lake is overtaking his farmland.

Due to the rising water levels at Lough Funshinagh, the farmer in Lisfelim, on the south side of the lake, has been forced to sell his pregnant ewes.

The water from the lough has been steadily creeping on to his land, leaving him with no other choice but to remove the animals for their own safety.

‘Scandalous’

A spokesperson for the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis group said spring has sprung but not at Lough Funshinagh and branded the lack of flooding support as “scandalous”.

“Lisfelim, south side of the lake, is coming under increasing pressure from rising waters in recent days. Below, another farm is now being taken over by the lake.

“What should be a lovely time on the farm, welcoming ‘new arrivals’... this farmer below in his 90s is having to sell his in-lamb ewes and stand back and watch his life work being destroyed.

“The pride this farmer took with his farm and his farmyard is clearly evident. This is beyond scandalous and has to stop.”

The latest development comes as water levels at the lough have reached “record levels” and residents have been advised to leave their homes amid flooding fears. As of March 2, the water levels at Lough Funshinagh in south Roscommon had broken a new record in terms of height and exceeded 69.02 metres, a record previously set in April 2021.

The water level is expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks.

The lake is a serious flooding threat to the surrounding community and the road has been closed by Roscommon County Council, with residents advised to leave their homes.