Concern legal issues may delay town’s flood defence works

Fears have been raised that flood prevention works planned for Clonakilty may drag on due to legal issues surrounding proposals to deliberately flood farmers’ land to protect the West Cork town.

The issue came to light yesterday when councillors were extensively briefed by local authority officials on continuing plans for flood defences.

They were told the county council and OPW were seeking legal advice on proposals to deliberately flood land upstream and to the west of the town to protect householders and businesses.