Flood victims demand compensation

Residents in flood-ravaged Clonmel tonight called for Government compensation for the damage caused to their properties.

Yesterday and today the River Suir burst its banks, engulfing streets and surrounding countryside and causing thousands of euros in damage.

It is the second major flood in the area in four years and local TDs called for the implementation of a long-delayed flood alleviation scheme for the town.

Local independent TD Seamus Healy said essential work like the cleaning of streams and culverts was due to start two months ago but may not start now until 2006.

“The people are at the mercy of the River Suir,” he said. “We want the flood relief work to start immediately and adequate compensation to cover damaged property in the meantime.”

Public works minister Tom Parlon visited Clonmel today. He also pointed out that the flood alleviation scheme had been delayed by 113 objections from local interest groups.

“I have the height of sympathy for the townspeople but the revised plan is going on public display in the New Year,” he told RTE Radio. “Clonmel is the priority now.”

Emergency services including the Civil Defence, borough council staff and army worked for 36 hours to sandbag homes and businesses and rescue stranded people.

Staff at Fitzgerald Nash Furniture & Carpets shop in Irishtown worked through last night to pile up valuable stock on pallets, but are still facing a bill of around €25,000.

Owner Adrian Fox said: “There’s 3ft of water on my shop floor.

“We’ve absolutely no protection from the river. We must get compensation.”

The Red Cross distributed Government compensation to residents following the last major floods in November 2000.

Some reports said the water levels this week reached 15mm higher than in the 2000 floods, which were the worst in 40 years.

Liz O’Brien and her family saw their home in Coleville Road flooded for the fifth time.

She was evacuated to a nearby hotel at 3am this morning.

“We don’t know where to go tonight,” she told RTE Radio. “Our home is destroyed. This is the fifth time.

“Hopefully the Government will do something about it this year – they’ve been promising us for five years.

Fine Gael today blamed the Government for failing to take action on flooding in Clonmel.

Local TD and the party’s environment spokesman, Tom Hayes said: “The Government has continued to ignore the considerable damage that has been done to people’s homes and businesses.

“Minister Parlon must give emergency funding for the flood scheme and cut out the long line of empty promises.

“So much hardship has been forced upon the citizens of Clonmel for too long.”