Mallow and Fermoy face multi-million bills

BUSINESS owners and householders were left counting the cost yesterday as large parts of Mallow and Fermoy in Co Cork were under water after serious flooding.

Central parts of Mallow were hit first when the River Blackwater burst its banks, leaving Park Road under 10ft of water, while traders in Bridge Street watched helplessly as their premises were swamped.

The floods began to rise at 6am as millions of gallons of water poured down the river. Its aftermath is likely to cost millions of euro in repairs.

Sean Cronin, whose family own Impulse Hats & Bags in Bridge Street, went to the premises at 1am.

“It was the worst flooding I’ve seen since 1980. I was trying to push the water out, but I was fighting a losing battle,” said Mr Cronin. Like other businesses on the street he can’t get insurance cover.

To Sharon Gregory, who owns a neighbouring bridal design shop, it was a familiar sight. “I’ve been flooded at least five times in the past eight years and can’t get insurance. It’s cost me tens of thousands of euro between repairs and lost business. After the last big flood in 2004 we were told the OPW was going to act on it, but nothing much has happened.”

Town engineer Aidan Weir said some flood prevention works had been carried out by the OPW in Mallow, but work on the main parts of a €34 million scheme had yet to start.

“We’re hopeful that will start in a couple of months. If everything goes according to plan it could be completed in a couple of years,” said Mr Weir.

Mayor of Mallow Cllr Noel O’Connor said he would be communicating the anger of local people to the OPW, while Cllr Jerry Mullally wanted to know if the problem was being exacerbated by overdevelopment in parts of the town.

As minister in charge of the OPW Noel Ahern was visiting the area last night, the temper of people living in Fermoy was rising as fast as the floodwaters.

Gardaí were forced to close off the town’s main road at Brian Boru Square shortly after 4pm, when it was severed by the torrent. They diverted traffic onto the tolled motorway.

Motorists who thought motorway owners Direct Route might give them free passage under the circumstances were disappointed to learn they would have to pay up early on. However, according to gardaí the company relented later and opened the barriers to all vehicles.

Paul Harrington’s garage was under two feet of water in Brian Boru Square. “We’re told the OPW won’t start their flood prevention works here until Mallow’s completed. It will just send the water down faster to our town,” he said.

Mr Harrington said he’d have to dry out all his machinery and didn’t think he’d be able to open until Monday at the earliest. “If this was Dublin you can be sure these floods would have been dealt with years ago,” he said.

Shane Donnellan, whose family have owned the Avondhu Bar in Brian Boru Square for several years, said like adjoining businesses they weren’t covered by insurance.

John Begley, general manager at the Grand Hotel, had to close up just after lunchtime as the water began to lap the front doors.

“We’ve put in flood sealers on the doors and are hoping for the best. This will result in a huge loss of revenue for the hotel,” said Mr Begley.

Cllr Aileen Pyne complained that bureaucratic red tape had slowed down plans for a €30m flood protection scheme in the town. “People here fear that if the Mallow and Fermoy schemes are not done in tandem then Fermoy could suffer even more if there’s another big flood,” she said.

Gardaí expected the town centre to reopen this morning, but advised motorists to check before travelling.