Flood money ‘coming’ to protect houses

SEVERAL residents from The Woodlands estate in Ballytivnan heard that a funding announcement on flood prevention measures for their area is imminent.

Councillor Thomas Healy had tabled a motion calling on the Council to write to the Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy to fund a boundary wall to protect homes in the estate from flooding.

Cllr Healy said the houses that already had a boundary wall were not flooded. He called for emergency funding to build the wall as he claimed “the money from Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran could be two years down the line.”

“Drainage also needs to be looked at. These people are living in fear,” he told the meeting.

His motion was seconded by Councillor Chris MacManus, who wondered if there was “some infrastructural deficit” as the flooding problem in The Woodlands was recent but it was built 25 years ago.

Cllr MacManus said he knew of one woman, a cancer survivor, who worried her house was going to be flooded every time she heard of a high tide forecast.

Cllr Declan Bree also support the motion. Cllr Marie Casserly then told the meeting that “the money is coming in the next few weeks”, referring to Minister Moran.

This was welcomed by Cllr Bree, Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady and Cllr Tom MacSharry.

However Cllr Hubert Keaney said there had been no money granted and “it would be wrong to give the impression to residents” it had.

He said that with all due respect to Cllr Casserly, she was wrong unless she had the “ear of the Minister.”

Cllr Healy said there was no point giving out false hope but then decided to defer his motion “if Cllr Casserly says the money is coming in a few weeks.” However he added that he hoped “people aren’t saying things here that are not going to happen.” It was also agreed the Council will write to the Minister for funds anyway.