Cork flood defence: Campaign against ‘experiment that is likely to fail’ continues

A new report on Cork’s complex groundwater conditions casts further doubt on the OPW’s contentious €140m flood relief plans, writes Eoin English.

Newly published research has described the OPW’s controversial €140m flood defence plan for Cork as an “experiment which is likely to fail”.

The work by consultant geologist Anthony Beese, which has been ongoing for several years, warns that elements of the largest flood defence scheme of its kind in the history of the State could increase flood risk in places, could put buildings in the city centre at risk of structural damage, and may reduce groundwater quality in a regionally important aquifer.