'Very scary' - Fears 232-year-old canal tunnel in Offaly is 'about to blow'
The Blundell Aqueduct is the only structure in Offaly that carries the canal over a road and is located on the Edenderry to Rathangan road, known locally as the tunnel road near Edenderry Town FC soccer club
There are huge fears a tunnel under the Grand Canal in Edenderry is "about to blow" due to a number or worrying leaks in the 232-year-old structure.
The Blundell Aqueduct is the only structure in Offaly that carries the canal over a road and is located on the Edenderry to Rathangan road, known locally as the tunnel road near Edenderry Town FC soccer club.
A number of residents in the area are concerned for the structure of the aqueduct with a breech likely to cause severe flood damage if it were to occur.
One local resident, Liam 'Morley' Brereton, posted a worrying video of the tunnel on social media, showing a bad leak underneath the structure where cars pass on their way in and out of the town.
He said: "The tunnel is about to blow. Here we go again, but when it blows and takes a couple houses around and any poor unfortunate that's near it, I will say you were well warned and the disaster was preventable."
He said Waterways Ireland attempted a repair last year but the "leak has appeared again over last few days and it’s obvious that build up of water is now right down and building up behind the walls."
"Act not before it’s too late," he appealed.
Another resident, Naomhan Farrell, echoed these fears, saying, "this is a serious issue and Waterways Ireland must take action immediately.
"Living beside it, I fear for my family and neighbours' safety. I appeal to our local representatives, the powers to be in Waterways Ireland and authorities associated to act upon this at once and have whatever work it takes to repair and secure the Blundell Aqueduct, making it 100% safe for the people living close by and for the many commuters who pass through on a daily basis.
"This is 2025; it’s an issue that has being ongoing for decades. The authorities must act fast. The problem must be rectified at once and repaired to the highest standards in the interest of public safety."
Another local described the situation as "very scary." It was reported that Waterways Ireland attended the scene to fix the leak on Saturday but that the issue had returned the next day. Over the weekend, a number of local councillors made further contact with Waterways Ireland.
Cllr Noel Cribbin said he received an update from the area manager in Inland Waterways, telling residents, "all is safe at the tunnel, the structure etc; the leak is due to lower levels upstream, there will be a crew out today [Tuesday] to fix that issue which is in the canal itself."
Cllr Claire Murray said workers were due back at the tunnel on Wednesday "to apply a new type of substance to seal it further," adding, "the bridge, I've been informed and reassured, is structurally sound."