Flood defences are to be decommissioned in Athlone by end of next week

Westmeath Co Council is hoping to begin decommissioning flood defences in Athlone by the end of next week.

Director of Services at Westmeath Co Council Barry Kehoe said the River Shannon is now 13cm below the flood peak.

As flood defences are removed, clean-up and road repair operations will get under way.