Clogged river is ‘serious threat’

One hundred tonnes of timber clogging a Cork river poses a serious threat to public safety in the event of a flood.

That is according to county engineer Noel O’Keeffe, who has written to Inland Fisheries Ireland seeking immediate permission to remove the debris from the Glashaboy River in Glanmire.

It is thought the timber was washed downstream towards St Stephen’s Hospital, Sarsfield’s Court, during the flood of Jun 28.

However, it was only discovered late last week.

Mr O’Keeffe said such was the extent of the debris that it was about 20m long, 5m wide, and up to 2m high.

“I have asked Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to allow me to remove the timber on the grounds of public safety. I have also asked the Office of Public Works for emergency funding to remove it,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

“This needs to be taken out of the river because it has the potential to demolish bridges or worse if another flood happens.”

The council needs permission from IFI to carry out any work on rivers.

Several weeks ago the local authority wrote to IFI seeking permission to remove debris from elsewhere on the Glashaboy River and also in Bandon to lessen the risk to life and property if there was a recurrence of the flooding.

IFI didn’t reply to the request, which means that the works can’t be carried out this year.

The window of opportunity has been lost because such works are prohibited from the end of September to March, due to the spawning season.

A total of 60 houses and more than a dozen businesses were badly damaged in the Glanmire area by the last flood.

All 49 houses in Meadowbrook Estate were hit by flood waters up to 5ft in depth.

Meadowbrook Residents’ Association chairman Jim Healy said he was very annoyed that IFI had not given permission to clear the river.

He said it was even more alarming to learn that up to 100 tonnes of timber were blocking the river upstream from the estate.

“Our residents are extremely nervous. This is very worrying for them. They are already very stressed. This is not welcome news, to say the least,” Mr Healy said.

A number of householders in the estate have still not managed to negotiate a settlement with their insurance companies, even though it has been more than three months since the flood.

Eamonn Downey, business development manager with independent assessors Owens McCarthy, is to meet Meadowbrook residents next Thursday to discuss the situation with them.