State Secretary Kieran O’Donnell has given his assurance to accelerate efforts to enhance the underground drainage system in Bantry, in response to the severe flooding triggered by intense rainfall that inflicted destruction worth millions of euros in the west Cork locality over the past weekend.
The downpours led to the submersion of around 20 properties and businesses last Saturday. The deluge cascaded from Seskin and the adjacent hills encompassing Bantry, which overwhelmed the capacity of the city’s central culvert system due to the extraordinary volume of water.
The Alley river channeled a torrent of water swiftly, impeding the efficiency of the 300-metre culvert system assigned with draining water into a tidal region close to Wolfe Tone Square, causing excess flooding at New Street and Main Street.
The surge resulting from the massive rainfall around mid-day Saturday was formidable enough to push up manhole covers. This resulted in water rising from drains, sewers, and even seeping through the floors of numerous establishments and residences nestled along these central streets.
Mr O’Donnell, who oversees the Office of Public Works (OPW), made a visit to Bantry on Sunday to survey the havoc and engage with local businesspeople and homeowners. They expressed their discontent at the postponement in not only the improvement of the culvert system but also initiating the substantial Bantry flood relief plan.
Danielle Delaney, a representative of the Bantry Business Association, stated that the lag in implementing the culvert scheme and the expansive flood relief plan has greatly irritated local business owners. Especially since commitments were given back in 2020 to promptly start work on these projects.
She reported that the town had underwent four bouts of flooding within a span of 18 months from 2018 to 2020. The last of these caused far-reaching damage, following which they were assured of swift action by O’Donnell’s predecessor, Minister Patrick O’Donovan. Despite these promises, the site suffered flooding yet again four years later.
Following the devastating floods in Cork, Mr O’Donnell acknowledged the distress of business owners and residents in Bantry, admitting that the flood relief scheme in Bantry would take several years to implement. Nonetheless, he assured his commitment to hasten the progression of improvements to the culvert.
He stated that the culvert project, involving the collaboration of delegated officials from his department, Cork County Council, Office of Public Works (OPW), Uisce Eireann, and consulting engineers, is underway. Approval for planning is expected to be received by next year, and the completion of the project is estimated to take roughly a year.
“Swift advancements to the culvert are crucial. The technical aspects have been mutually agreed upon by the OPW and Cork County Council. The council will push for the project’s planning later this month and endeavor to initiate the design phase by next year,” Mr O’Donnell elaborated.
Addressing those without insurance among the affected merchants and homeowners, Mr O’Donnell guaranteed Government aid via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Social Protection, similar to measures taken in other flood-stricken towns.
Furthermore, he said the OPW would approve funding for private property protection measures such as doorway flood barriers. Despite this, he accepted the hard fact that some properties would inevitably remain unprotected, as the floodwater during Saturday’s incident was seen rising from inside the drains and shores within buildings, not just from the street.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, speaking from Dublin on Sunday, declared that ministers would be presenting memos to the Cabinet on Tuesday about establishing financial support for those affected by the floods.