City meeting to discuss future flood defences

SOME of those worst hit by the recent devastating floods in Cork are due to meet next week to discuss how they can prepare for future similar disasters.

It will be the first time the city’s flood victims have come together to dissect the events of November 20 last in a bid to ensure they are ready for the next flood.

The public meeting has been called by residents of the Sacred Heart Parish – many of whom live along the Western Road and the Mardyke.

It is being organised by community activist, Barry Keane, who has also invited public representatives, city officials and ESB officials to attend.

Robert Devoy, Professor in physical geography at University College Cork and head of the School of the Human Environment, will attend.

“It is essential that there is public debate about this – not just a finger-pointing exercise – but a real debate about how we plan for the future.”

He said there is a real need for integrated national, regional and local flood management – from the householder, through farm level, city and county council level, to state agencies like the ESB.

But he said householders in flood-risk zones can take steps to be prepared, like stockpiling sandbags.

The public meeting takes place at 7pm next Monday, January 11, in UCC’s W5 lecture room, located in the college’s West Wing of the main quadrangle.

Meanwhile, the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment will hold a meeting next Tuesday to discuss the flooding across the country.