Protesters halt council’s overnight water works

A LATE-NIGHT move by Limerick County Council to carry out work on a new water scheme failed when opponents were alerted.

The council yesterday confirmed that it has temporarily ceased works on the connection of the Pallaskenry/Kildimo Water Supply Scheme following an overnight protest at the site.

A team from Limerick County Council’s Water Services Department started work on the N69 from 3am yesterday to interconnect two local authority water supply mains at Kildimo as part of the interconnection of the Askeaton and Kildimo water supplies.

A spokesperson said: “As required by order of the court, a seven-day notice was delivered on November 17 last to legal representatives of the protestors, notifying them of our intention to proceed with the interconnection.

“We made every effort possible to minimise inconvenience by carrying out the works overnight.

“This would have resulted in a reconnection of supplies for the vast majority of local householders in time for breakfast as well as eliminating the need for single line traffic at this point on the critical N69 route.”

Preparatory works were carried out from around 3am but were halted following the intervention of protestors.

“In accordance with best health and safety practices, Limerick County Council employees automatically ceased works and made the site safe before retiring from it,” said the spokesman.

Opponents say the supply from the River Deel is dirty and want to retain an old supply from Bleach Lough.

But the council point out that thousands of householders across West Limerick, including Newcastlewest, Askeaton and Foynes, are already availing of water from the Deel.