DEVELOPER Owen O’Callaghan has launched a blistering attack on the ESB for failing to change its dam operating procedures upstream of Cork city despite last year’s flooding disaster.

The ESB today admitted that the chance of a repeat of the devastating Cork flooding of 12 months ago is now greater than they had previously believed.

THE Office of Public Works is fast-tracking a two-pronged flood-defence project for Cork city, it emerged last night.

THE Lord Mayor of Cork was slated last night for the way he tackled the Government and the Taoiseach over funding for the city’s flood defences.

ANY spending to prevent further flooding in Cork will have be considered along with other public works priorities, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.

HOUSEHOLDERS in some of Cork’s worst hit flood areas criticised the Government last night for not funding a full-scale flood defence system because of its €100 million price tag.

EXPERTS have ruled out building a €100 million flood defence system for Cork city on cost grounds in favour of a smaller scale two-pronged approach to minimise flooding.