"She rings me in tears because the water is flowing into her house"

The recent floods across Ireland caused by Climate Change has unleashed untold stress on businesses and private dwellings. 

The heating of the Earth's atmosphere to previously unseen levels, caused by the human burning of fossil fuels, has led to stronger storms and more floods in recent years. 

Recent downpours have affected human activity nationwide and massive flooding has caused consternation across Tipperary.

The issue was raised at the October meeting of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District, where an issue with surface water at the Dualla Road was highlighted by Councillor Roger Kennedy.

He said a plan had to be drawn up for the Dualla Road to the Wallers Lot area as regards flooding and future development: 

"The gullies, the underground stream where the water goes down appears as if it is not able to take the flow of water that is down there."

He raised the question of whether there was a blockage and enquired if sediment had built up which would stop the flow of water. Cllr Kennedy said the issue is prevalent in the current climate in Ireland:

"Roads in any of the mountainous areas over the last couple of weeks have taken a right pounding, especially roads where forestry works have been done on it. 

"The Foildarrig Road, where works were ongoing the whole summer, is getting worse all the time. I know that crews are out there doing remedial work but it needs a major overhaul and it needs a major plan. 

"I hope that will be included in works in 2024 and the forestry works on the Cummerbeg Road as well. 

"It is in a serious state too, and there are parts of it practically impassable because of the pot holes that have come into it the last week.

"I know you are stretched but thanks to the crews for the remedial works that were down during the last week. It saved houses from being flooded. It saved a lot."

Councillor Michael Fitzgerald pointed out that the issue has been left unaddressed for far too long:

"I think the last couple of weeks have brought it home to all of us.

"We don't have to look at pictures from Midleton to see the damage the recent floods have inflicted, maybe in Tipperary we haven't been as affected as that but one house flooded is every bit as bad as a whole street. 

"It's the same trauma, the same stress and the same damage for one person. 

"Now I'm delighted today to hear Cllr Roger Kennedy talking about an issue I raised here some time ago. 

"I raised that here well over a year ago when the works were being done in The Green in Cashel. I said Michael John O'Dwyers premises were being flooded since the works were being done. 

"He never had a problem before that but he has had a problem since.

"It needs to be rectified. It was serious the other day with the amount of rain that we got.

"All the finance now is going to be directed to where we saw on the television where the Taoiseach visited. 

"There are forgotten places," Councillor Fitzgerald continued. 

"I have video on my phone from Cappawhite and honest to God, it was terrible to see the amount of water and damage that was happening to that road. 

"We have every bit as strong a case, in the mountainous areas in particular, with the damage that has been caused to homes. 

"We have to go strong to make sure our voice is heard as well. There is an old lady being constantly flooded.

"She goes out in her wellingtons then changes her shoes to go to mass. 

"That is not good enough in this day and age. She rings me in tears because the water is flowing into her house. 

"We don't seem to be able to solve the problem over the years. Not to the same extent to what happened in Midleton but one person's home to be flooded is every bit as important and if a contractor leaves a house being flooded that wasn't being flooded before, surely he is responsible to go back and correct whatever has been the problem. 

"That is a problem on The Green in Cashel too and it can't be allowed to continue," said Cllr Fitzgerald.

In response the Council representative said that there has been an improvement and that there had been an issue at Boherclough Street Junction which has caused issues.

He also said that in the area, due to new houses, there are Irish Water connections and issues surrounding gas connections that are going to be addressed.  

In regards to Wallers Lot there are ground investigations and flood monitoring works being undertaken, he said before adding that it will be nine to ten months before the monitoring and investigations stage is concluded .

Regarding flooding in Cappawhite, the Council official responded by saying he hoped work would be done in that area to solve the issues.