Choose between repairing roads or drains, council told

Unless the Government provides emergency funds, the people of Cork will have to live with either pothole-ridden roads or flooded properties — or both — for years to come.

The stark warning was delivered by the county manager, Martin Riordan, after more than 20 county councillors pleaded with him to tackle the damage caused by repeated torrential rain.

Mr Riordan said the budget he had been given could either go on clearing roadside drains or into repairing damaged roads, but insisted he could not afford to do both.