Bogslide continues to threaten in Galway

Investigations were going on today to uncover the cause of the latest landslide in Derrybrien, Co Galway.

The new slippage threatened roads and bridges and teams of emergency workers erected a series of barriers in a bid to stop the flow of thousands of tonnes of mud, water, trees and stones moving off a local mountainside.

One route, the link between Gort and Portumna, Co Galway, was closed to traffic as a result of the incident.

As efforts continued to pinpoint the reasons for the landslide – which damaged dozens of acres of farmland and forestry in the area when it breached a series of makeshift dams – work was suspended on the construction of a wind-generated electricity plant being developed by the Hibernian Wind Power subsidiary of the ESB.

And Coillte said they would be seeking damages from the windfarm if necessary.

A spokesman for ESB said: “We are aware people are pointing the finger at Hibernian Wind. The investigation is on-going, and there are indications there could be a number of contributory factors for this.

“The ESB is not shirking its responsibilities.”

The landslide was the third to hit the West in recent weeks.

The most serious, in Co Mayo last month, wrecked a number of homes and closed roads.

Heavy rain after long periods of dry weather during recent months is being partly blamed for the incidents.