No Bboro-Cootehill MD flood projects selected for funding

No flood mitigation projects planned for the Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District were approved for funding in 2026 through the centralised decision-making process, much to the dismay of local councillors who say rivers are breaking their banks with greater regularity.

At a recent meeting in Cootehill, council representatives were told that residents are growing fearful as rivers repeatedly burst their banks.

Sinn Féin’s Stiofán Conaty tabled a motion seeking updates on flood relief schemes in Ballyhaise, Castletara, and Redhills, specifically flagging ongoing problems at Drumeena near Redhills and Corgarve, Ballyhaise. He said recent storms had exposed further vulnerable areas, with newly laid walking paths in Ballyhaise “ripped up” by the relentless conditions.

But Senior Engineer Clinton Mulligan delivered grim news. Despite the council submitting multiple projects under the Climate Change Adaptation Works programme, none of the Cootehill-Bailieborough proposals were approved. While Cavan county received around €520,000 for four projects elsewhere, Bailieborough-Cootehill MD was left empty-handed.

“It’s not a positive answer,” Mulligan admitted, though he offered a glimmer of hope. “It doesn’t mean we won’t get two schemes next year.”

Mr Mulligan concluded by saying that the council is fully aware of the flooding issues, adding: “All we can do is continue submitting applications.”

A similar motion was tabled for discussion by Aontú's Adrian Rogers over worsening flood risks across key routes, on the Kells Road out of Bailieborough and the Virginia Road out of Bailieborough at Brangan's, to the stretch of road between Knockbride GFC and Canningstown, and lastly at Sharp's Corner.

He lamented the fact that there is “no additional funding” in this year’s budget to tackle the issues. On the Kells Road, he said when heavy rain hits, water has “no place to go”, instead pooling across the surface posing a risk to drivers.

“It’s made a mess of the road,” he said, telling the meeting that conditions are rapidly deteriorating.

Fine Gael's Carmel Brady, meanwhile, highlighted further trouble spots, including the road near the Cooperative at Maudabawn, where the surface has “broken down” dramatically - particularly along the edges. Backing the call for action, Fianna Fáil’s Niall Smith threw his support behind the motion, underlining the level of cross-party concern.

But Mr Mulligan reiterated that the only viable funding stream lies within Climate Adaptation - and this year, the resources simply aren't there.

He again revealed how every district had submitted bids, with a degree of acceptance that the very worst-hit areas have to be prioritised.