‘Grave concerns’ over potential flooding in Limerick town as urgent action is demanded

URGENT action is being demanded to progress flood relief schemes in Abbeyfeale amid fears that persistent bad weather could damage a new €500,000 sports facility in the town.

At the March meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District, Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin tabled a motion asking the council to call “on the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) to expedite the flood relief scheme for Athea and Abbeyfeale.”

Proposing his motion, Cllr Galvin referenced the serious flooding which was experienced along the east coast of Ireland earlier this year.

“Thank God, this time we escaped it.”

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He explained how valuable properties such as schools, homes and (housing) estates are at risk amid the persistent rain, saying the risk “needs to be addressed ASAP.”

Cllr Galvin cited recent flooding in Abbeyfeale that caused “serious damage” to a number of residential properties as well as the Golden Vale premises in the town.

He also highlighted the €500,000 all-weather astro turf pitch being built by Abbeyfeale United FC, saying: “There is no point [building it] if it's going to flood.”

In a written reply, Ben Noonan, Senior Executive Engineer for the district, said he has met with the OPW and that “a flood map review request form has been submitted to them so that they will revisit their CFRAMS map” in relation to Abbeyfeale.

“A scheme viability assessment has been requested for the area that has been flooded to determine if it is now feasible for a flood relief scheme to be provided to protect these properties,” he added.

Leas-Chathaoirleach for the district, Cllr Francis Foley, said the risk of flooding is a “grave concern” in Abbeyfeale.

Supporting the motion, independent councillor Jerome Scanlan said there is “something amiss with the way Limerick is treated”, suggesting people living in the county are being treated like “second-class citizens”.

Cllr Scanlan also raised concerns that flood relief works have commenced in Kerry, despite incidents of flooding there occurring after the floods in Abbeyfeale.

He added: “People are sitting waiting to be flooded.”

Cllr Galvin agreed, saying his colleague was “dead right with his second-class citizen comment”.