Kerry roads ‘in danger of being washed away’
Heavy rainfall so far this winter has already taken its toll with road damage to date estimated at €250,000.
Councillors have called for urgent action.
However, a lack of government funding is making it highly unlikely that flood relief works will be carried out, according to Kerry County Council.
While funding for road maintenance was traditionally inadequate to meet local authority demands, it is getting harder to secure state assistance in the current economic climate, the council said.
However, a spokesman said landowners could also help by ensuring water from their properties does not flow onto roads.
The council also said that fallen trees and debris, that could be washed into rivers, should be swiftly removed.
Fine Gael Cllr Seamus Fitzgerald called for emergency funding to repair roads damaged during severe flooding in the Dingle Peninsula, on October 23.
Damage has been estimated at €100,000, while it will cost €150,000 to repair flood damage on roads in the Caherciveen area, on November 2.
But the council said it was highly unlikely the necessary money would be provided.
Concerns have also been raised that homes close to the River Flesk, in Killarney, may be flooded.
South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson called for action to ensure the free flow of water in the river, which is impeded in places by fallen trees and other obstacles.
However, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has pointed out the Flesk is a Special Area of Conservation and features such as small islands in the river are important for the river environment.
It is unlikely remedial works will be carried out in the Flesk until a flood-risk assessment and management programme, currently being rolled out by the Office of Public Works (OPW), is adopted.