Wave of anger follows deluge

Local authorities in Cork have admitted they were powerless to prevent the widespread flooding which destroyed homes and businesses across the county in the space of just a few hours yesterday.

As the multimillion-euro clean-up continues, there was anger in communities that were covered under huge swathes of water for the second time in three years. They pointed out there had been regular heavy floods in recent weeks, but on those occasions, drains, and culverts had done their job because they were clear.