Retailers furious at city council

TRADERS hit by Cork’s worst flood since 1962 launched a blistering attack on the city council yesterday.

Finbarr Cotter, who owns three shops in the city centre, said the area was a disaster zone.

“There was no sign of council workers during the height of the flood. When they’re looking for rates, they’re all over you. But when you’re looking for them, you can’t find them,” he said outside his Emerald China shop on Princes Street.

Piles of soiled stock and ruined carpets were heaped outside his shop.

The scene was repeated outside dozens of neighbouring shops, closed for the day as hundreds of shop staff were involved in a major clean-up.

The staff of O’Connor’s Shoes on Oliver Plunkett Street were supposed to be celebrating their shop’s 50th anniversary yesterday.

But Barry O’Connor said instead there was an air of doom and gloom in the area.

“Water was pouring in over our flood guard on Wednesday. It cracked the tiles. I feel lousy today. We were supposed to be celebrating with wines, teas and coffees for customers. But instead we’re here with mops and buckets.”

Leo O’Callaghan of O’Callaghan’s Electrical said it was the first time flood waters had reached the back of his shop.

“I’ve lost thousands, including two €2,500 chairs fitted with cinema speakers that were in our listening room,” he said.

Michael Cronin of Cronin Menswear said the council should have provided a free collection service yesterday for the heaps of soiled stocks outside shops.

Major department stores on St Patrick Street, such as Dunnes Stores, Brown Thomas and Penneys, where 35 people were rescued by the fire brigade’s new water rescue boat the day before, were cleaned up and open for business by yesterday evening.

Last night, Cork Business Association called on the council to develop a flood action plan to prevent traffic from driving down flooded streets in future.