‘It’s critical something is done rapidly’

Kieran O’Gorman and wife Geraldine both own businesses in Clonakilty and like others engaged in commerce see their livelihoods at risk.

The River Feale — which runs alongside his auctioneer firm and her hairdressers, beauty, and spa treatment centre — burst its banks on Jun 28, causing their businesses serious damage, including structural damage.

He claims it mightn’t have been that bad if planning officials had some years earlier refused him permission to raise the internal floors by 9in.