Residents evacuated after landslide

RESIDENTS were evacuated from a north Cork housing estate last night amid fears that their homes are in danger of collapsing down a huge embankment.

Concerns are mounting that heavy rain forecast for the coming days will increase the risk of a big disaster in Mallow.

Engineers are expected on the scene in the Westbrook Court estate in the west of the town this morning to asses the situation.

It follows the collapse of a section of a 15 to 20 foot embankment alongside the estate yesterday afternoon.

It sits above a gully where contractors are working on one element of the town’s €33 million flood relief work.

It is feared that excavation works and heavy rain combined to destabilise the embankment.

It gave way at about 3pm yesterday, taking part of the garden of a house with it.

Therese Noonan was sitting in her home when she heard banging outside.

“I thought it was an explosion. I went outside and saw the side wall of my house was gone, and the oil tank with it,” she said.

“I’m in shock. This is just a disaster. I’m really worried about losing the house — and I’ve only just done it up, with a new suite of furniture and everything.”

Her neighbour, Kathleen Griffin, has also been evacuated.

They were salvaging what they could from their homes and packing their bags last night to stay in a local hotel.

Therese said she does not know when she might be allowed to return home.

Town mayor James Kennedy was on the scene last night liaising between residents, and council engineers and officials.

“Our main priority is to secure the location and to evacuate and look after the affected residents,” he said.

Council colleague, Fine Gael’s Richard Dempsey, was one of the first people on the scene. He said damage to property alongside the embankment was worsening by the hour.

“When I arrived, Therese’s back wall had collapsed. As I was there, I saw a gate pillar collapse and the damage is encroaching steadily on the estate,” said Mr Dempsey.

“The council workers were on the scene quickly and the site was sealed off.

“But we need to address this quickly.”

A town council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night during which a full report on the incident is expected to be presented.