Cow’s carcass found on beach had been swept 96km in flooding

AN ear tag found on the carcass of a cow washed up on Ballybunion beach showed it had been swept more than 96km downriver by the recent floods from a farm in west Limerick.

The carcass was disposed of before it could pose a health risk to bathers on the blue flag beach.

The animal was one of many lost in the huge floods which swamped thousands of acres of land in Co Limerick in the early hours of August 1. Department of Agriculture records showed the ear tag on the dead animal belonged to a west Limerick herd.

The location of the farm indicates that the cow was swept into the river Deel before entering the Shannon Estuary at Toomdeely Point near Askeaton. It then floated down the estuary before being washed up.

Meanwhile the Office of Public Works has recommended dredging works along stretches of the Rivers Arra and Galey.

The remedial works are being carried out near Newcastle West and Athea.

Huge lodgments of silt and debris have caused back-up of water at numerous small bridges, some of which have been damaged.

As Limerick County Council commences work on a detailed report on the flooding, officials have been asked to publish details of the major accident plan for Co Limerick on the council website.

Niall Collins TD said he cannot understand why the council refuses to let the public know the details of the plan.

“Council officials told local representatives at a meeting in Newcastle West last Thursday that they haven’t it on their website as it contains mobile phone numbers of senior officials and it would not be desirable to put those into the public domain,” he said.

“Clare County Council has no problem in putting the major emergency plan for Clare on their website.

“Surely certain numbers could be put on their website without numbers the council feels should not be given out to the public.”