Church aids flooding victims

The Catholic Church today handed over €400,000 (£315,000) to victims of flooding in Dublin last week.

On the directions of Archbishop of Dublin Cardinal Desmond Connell, curate Father Liam Rigney handed €1,000 (£787) to each of more than 400 households in Ringsend.

Due to a combination of heavy rain and high tides, homes in the area were flooded to a depth of several feet, with many residents who lost the bulk of their possessions facing financial problems because they were uninsured.

Father Rigney said that at a meeting earlier this week residents had made it clear their main needs were food and clothing.

He added: ‘‘There are a lot of people out there doing good work in the area, but Dublin Corporation will take time - and we need to respond immediately.’’

Due to the urgency of the situation, Cardinal Connell authorised the cash from church funds to meet the immediate needs of the residents.