‘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.

“I reckon €300,000 to €500,000 damage has been done to the businesses and we have cracks and subsidence. The insurance [claim] is dragging on and I don’t know where it will end up,” said Kieran.

As a result of the 1m-high water which swamped their properties, he said Geraldine was working at half her normal capacity and had to leave four staff go. He is down to working two days a week and also had to let one employee go.

“There’s no compensation available for anybody in business. The rates are absolutely exorbitant. The flooding has devalued the buildings and the rates should be devalued accordingly,” said Kieran, a father of five.

“It’s frightening when heavy rain falls and we don’t know what will happen. Another event [like Jun 28] and we will have to close the doors for good,” said Geraldine.

Kieran pointed out that as self-employed people they couldn’t get any help from the dole office and they won’t be able to get flood cover from insurance companies again.

“Common sense has to prevail. Politicians are using the situation for political gain. I’m sick and tired of surveys, studies, and reports [on flooding] which have been going on in this town for the past 20 years,” he said.

“People want to know where they are going. It’s critical something is done rapidly. It’s gone beyond the talking stage. Both of our businesses are in serious jeopardy. The council has to take responsibility for the future of their ratepayers.”