Storms still causing havoc for Clare eatery in Kilkee

The second phase of the reconstruction of the 19th century seawall at Kilkee has begun and is expected be completed before the start of the 2016 summer season.

Kilkee businessman Johnny Redmond claims his 2014 season was a washout because of the damage caused by the storms of 2013 and 2014.

The road at Strand Line has collapsed several feet in one area while cracks slowly crept along the roadway for a further 100m forcing the council to close the route.

Investigation works took several weeks while the complexity of the remediation work also delayed progress completing the project.

Mr Redmond said: “This damage was caused two years ago and works are still not completed. My 2014 season was a complete washout because the road outside my business was completely closed. I had to fight to get signs just to say my business was still open.

“Whatever about the road being closed off the last time, the road is now completely closed and all you can see is six-foot fences covered in green mesh. You can see nothing from the café windows and you can’t see my building when you’re driving down the Stand Line.

“Passing trade is very important to my business.

“There’s no point me being open with a full building site outside my front door. I would have hoped that this work would have been completed last year but I appreciate there were issues and the council couldn’t work through the summer.

“They say the work will be finished for next season. It should have been all done for last season so I hope they won’t let me down again.”

Clare County Council has confirmed that other storm remedial works will begin this week at a number of other locations.