'It's soul destroying,' says flood victim

PADDY O'Leary and his wife Gertie tried to be brave as objects bobbed about in nearly two feet of water in their ruined home on Botanic Avenue, Drumcondra. They have lived there for the past 35 years.

"It came in about 12 o'clock last night," said Paddy. "It started to rise very fast and the sandbags couldn't keep it out. But it could have been worse."

Two years ago when the street was last flooded, the O'Learys escaped thanks to prompt action and the