Landslide evacuees wait to hear if they can go home

Families forced to abandon their houses and farms after a major landslide were waiting to find out whether they would be allowed home today.

Residents of the 40 homes demanded that the Taoiseach and president visit north Co Mayo to see the devastation.

The families were told to move out nearly two weeks ago amid fears the area around Dooncarton may still be at risk.

Brian Wilson, chairman of the Dooncarton landslide committee, said he hoped some residents would be able to return later today.

He said: “We are emotionally and mentally drained.

“Somebody coming in and telling you to leave your home and leave all your dreams, it’s exhausting.”

The landslide caused damage to a coastal road and up to five bridges and the whole area lost power and water supplies.

A two-mile stretch of road was buried under around 7ft of mud.

Residents are unsure whether their insurance will cover the damage.

“There are people with mortgages to pay, there is machinery lost with repayments left on it,” Mr Wilson said in a radio interview.

“There are houses structurally damaged, there are houses destroyed totally.”

Residents were due to find out whether it was safe to move back in during a meeting with Mayo County Council.

Mr Wilson called on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese to visit the area.

“Having our heads of state come to see the devastation that we are experiencing at the moment would be a great moral support for us and would be a great help,” he said.