Call for funding after storm devastates coastline

Kerry County Council is to seek emergency funding from the Government to deal with a worsening coastal erosion problem, with some seaside areas being described as “war zones”.

High tides and 150km/h winds have left a trail of destruction along the counties 684km coastline, with several million euro worth of damage caused.

Yesterday’s county council meeting — which heard calls for a joint, multi-million euro submission by all erosion-hit counties along the western sea board — was told hundred of houses in the Rossbeigh, Cromane, and Dooks areas were at risk, and some were already flooded.

Independent councillor Michael Cahill, highlighting substantial sand dune damage and the destruction of a road leading to Rossbeigh Beach, said some people in the area had not left for over a week. He said action will be beyond the scope of local authorities and there were calls for funds from the Government and EU.

Ballybunion-based Sinn Féin councillor Robert Beasley, said the 15-metre swell was the biggest he has ever seen, and up to 8ft of sand was lost in the resort’s South beach.

Hundreds of sleepers used for coastal protection had also been washed onto the beach.

Fianna Fáil’s John Brassil said the sea had breached the dunes for the first time in Ballyheigue and a lake had formed in an area of the dunes where water had never been seen before.

In South Kerry, mobile homes were blown from their berths in Caherdaniel and damage was also caused to a restaurant, a playground, and the pier in Castlecove.

County manager Tom Curran said the council could not provide for costal erosion work, but they would be evaluating the cost of repairs and would be making a submission for funding.

At present, councils have to provide 25% of funds for coastal protection, but Mr Curran said the Government should meet the full costs. He said most of the Kerry coastline had been designated “soft,” which made it vulnerable.

Meanwhile, fisherman Patrick O’Sullivan, whose home in Cromane flooded last Friday, called on the council to reinforce an embankment in the area.

“Our house was flooded to a depth of six inches covering all the ground floor and leaving a dreadful mess. Our big worry now is that with a high tide and more storms due, this could happen again,” Mr O’Sullivan said.