UCC and ESB to review judgment

University College Cork and the ESB yesterday said they will take time to review a lengthy Commercial Court judgment arising from the 2009 floods which caused tens of millions of euro in damage in Cork City.

In a 550-page ruling, Mr Justice Barrett ruled in favour of UCC in the action it brought for the benefit of its insurers, Aviva, against the ESB for compensation for flood damage to its property.

“ESB’s main priority during the event was for the safety of people downstream,” the company said in a statement. “The inflow of water into the Lee catchment during November 2009 was the worst since records began. The presence of the reservoirs, and the manner in which the dam was operated by ESB meant that the flooding downstream of Inniscarra was less than it otherwise might have been.