Local Senator Aisling Dolan has welcomed government support for urgent emergency works at Lough Funshinagh, west of Lough Ree.
The Roscommon-Galway public representative conformed this week that the OPW will install an emergency overflow pipe from Lough Funshinagh to River Shannon to assist in the alleviation of rising flood waters.
“I recently visited Lough Funshinagh, and it is an absolutely stunning landscape. During my visit I met with natives as I walked around the lough in Ardmullen, Lisphelim, Ballagh and Rahara who told me of their experiences over the last few months.
“Geraldine Murray from the relevant flood crisis committee has been in regular contact with me throughout the year and also showed me the areas which have been devastated by this flooding.
“Homes and farmlands have been lost and there has been little reprieve this year in terms of the waters receding. A turlough is a disappearing lake. However, in this area the water levels have become higher and higher.
“Local farmers told me that the road had been raised nearly eight foot and the waters are now lapping against the edge. Many of the trees around the lake have died and even swans are nesting in farmers lands as the islands are under water.
“I have family in the area who like many have a great affinity with Lough Funshinagh. I also understand their fear with rising waters and strong winds. I met with Tom Carney whose home is now at the water’s edge in Rahara with pumps going non-stop to keep water away from his home even now during the month of May. The cottage, the homeplace of the Carney family for generations, is now under water.
I have talked a number of times with Minister Patrick O’Donovan, in relation to this issue and he has kept me updated on progress with the OPW and their engagement on urgent works with the local authority. I very much welcome his support at this critical juncture for an engineering solution.
“I have also invited the Minister to come visit and meet communities living around Lough Funshinagh at the earliest opportunity,” Senator Dolan commented.
Geraldine Murray secretary of the Lough Funshinagh flood crisis committee, noted the need for urgent and immediate flood prevention intervention.
“Without immediate intervention, the floods will continue to expand thereby destroying more homes, farmyards, lands and dwellings. The local communities continue to live in constant fear especially with heavy rains continuing throughout May. The lough is not really dropping and we are living in constant fear of more destruction and damage,” Geraldine asserted.
