Hoteliers fear flood barriers could devastate premises

THE owners of Clonmel’s largest hotel are warning the town’s proposed €30 million flood relief scheme could have catastrophic consequences for their establishment and could “wipe it out”.

The Nallen family, owners of the Hotel Minella, which has a full-time staff of 65 and is located on the banks of the River Suir, has now written to the Office Of Public Works (OPW) outlining their concerns and vowing to do everything they can to protect their property and livelihood.

The Nallens are concerned the OPW’s plans to protect the northern end of the town from severe flooding will have a negative knock-on effect to the southern part of Clonmel, where their hotel is located.