Widowed Clare flood victim breaks down in tears after exhausted son collapses trying to protect home

A mother of three broke down in tears yesterday as she was forced to leave her flooded home to accompany one of her sons in an ambulance after he collapsed from exhaustion after working all week to protect their home.

Bridget Kinsella fought back tears as she demanded to know how Clare County Council signed off on planning permission for their house in Springfield, Clonlara, close to where floodwaters reached 6ft deep.

“Some eejit in an office OK’d this on a flood plain,” she cried out as she walked to the waiting ambulance.

“One of the boys brought home plans from school that were from medieval times, and this was a flood plain then, so I don’t know how someone could have signed off on this in an office in Clare County Council,” she said.

An ambulance was called to the house after Luke Kinsella, 16, became weak; however paramedics had to wait for members of the navy, who were helping out in the area, to walk him to the ambulance as it could not drive on the road which had been covered in nearly 2ft of water.

Trying to hold back the flood waters after the Blackwater burst its banks.

Becoming emotional, Bridget said: “He’s been working like a man, he’s only 16.”

The strain was also visible on the face of Jake, 15, who, along with his twin brother Philip, was “up until two o’clock in the morning” laying sandbags. The twins, along with their older brother — who hopes to sit his Leaving Cert exams next Summer — spent all week at home preparing a cordon of sand instead of studying in school for their Junior Certificate exams.

“It’s one thing after another for us. My husband committed suicide three years ago,” their mother said.

“My husband wanted to live out here, and I didn’t mind where I lived. But Jesus, oh God, he’s dead now, and I’m left with this, and three children.

“Planning should not have been given in the first place — not for a house that was built in 2001. And the reason it was built in 2001 was that they said build it or sell it, as they wouldn’t keep renewing the planning permission.”

Lesley Costello looks on as people try to hold back the flood waters in Springfield Clonlara.

Joe Cooney, a local Fine Gael councillor, said: “I don’t know why planning was given or how planing was given. It was before my time in the council, so I don’t know to be honest. I can’t answer that question.”

Timmy Dooley TD said: “You can look back and try to pass judgement, but the fact is the houses have been granted permission.”

Neighbours and friends have rallied around the family of four after the floods crept up to their front door last night.

“You really appreciate neighbours at a time like this,” said Bridget said.

“My neighbours stayed up all night, and my neighbours from where I lived before came out here and stayed pumping (water) all night.”