Storm Chandra response applauded by elected reps

A total of 15 roads were closed across Ballybay-Clones Municipal District due to flooding in the aftermath of Storm Chandra, Executive Engineer Craig Connolly confirmed during the delivery of his monthly report at last week’s meeting.

Outdoor staff assessed each road when floods subsided and found that further deterioration had occurred. A request for roads funding to address surface repairs, slippage, road raising, vegetation clearance and a hydrology survey (for Lough Egish and Laragh), was processed.

“Storm Chandra brought about an unexpected volume of rainfall over its duration in mid-January,” Mr Connolly commented. Financial supports for householders and an Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme for the business, community, voluntary and sporting sectors affected was made available, he added.

The costs associated with the storm and subsequent flooding were put at around €2M in Monaghan, as revealed at the full council meeting earlier this month.

Seapking at the Ballybay-Clones MD meeting last week, Cathaoirleach Sinéad Flynn said that elected representatives had all received many calls from constituents about roads that became impassable.

She lauded the “outstanding response on the ground” and commended the executive team Nial O’Connor, Matthew Lambe and Craig Connolly for coordinating it, alongside Mickey Lennard, road crews, MD staff indoor and outdoor, for their dedicated help.

Monaghan Civil Defence and Fire Service were also congratulated on their emergency response. The Sinn Féin representative saw that flood mitigation works were a must.

Her party colleague Cllr Pat Treanor concurred, expressing appreciation for the efficient and speedy way in which the crisis was dealt with. He felt that this was a great comfort to people who were frightened and trapped in their homes by floods.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus Coyle exclaimed: “The storm was horrendous and the very severe cold atrocious!” Acknowledging that the weather had been rough since the beginning of the year, he commended MD staff on their affirmative action.

Cllr Richard Truell agreed: “The outdoor staff are only a phone call away.”

The Fine Gael representative acknowledged that at least the power stayed on and noted ongoing efforts to address “flooding hotspots” across the county.