Laois landowners must clean local rivers themselves says council

Two rural Laois rivers that flow into the Barrow and the Nore, are the responsibility of landowners to keep clean, Laois County Council has said.

The River Triogue and River Gloreen where they flow near Ballyroan village in Laois, are in need of clearing out, according to Cllr Barry Walsh.

He tabled a motion to the Portlaoise Municipal District's March meeting, requesting that Laois County Council carry out a survey and clearing works on the rivers in the area.

He said there was recent flooding in neighbouring fields and on roads.

In reply, Portlaoise Town Manager Simon Walton told him that the landowner is responsible for these rivers.

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"We are responsible for ten drainage districts in Laois so from the €350,000 budget we get, our main focus is in that drainage district. The Office of Public Works only do arterial drainage. If it is not the OPW or council, the responsibility falls in law to riperian (riverside) landowners," he said.

Cllr Walsh said that floods onto roads in the area had left debris, asking was this the landowners' responsibility also.

The MD's engineer Wes Wilkinson said he will meet with Cllr Walsh on site to examine the specific issues and give advice.

"There may be opportunities for state support," he added.