Sandbags permanently on standby at busy Laois pub

New drainage is needed at a popular south Laois pub where sandbags are never removed because of the high risk of flooding.

That was the case made by Cllr James Kelly, Independent, to Laois County Council officials at a recent meeting.

He tabled a motion calling on the local authority to resolve the flooding issues on the R435/L1517 junction at Drennan’s Public House and Gilmartin's residence at the Green Roads near Borris-in-Ossory.

Cllr Kelly said it was not the first time he had asked for the problem to be tackled but it hasn’t been sorted.

Instead, the people are left on constant standby for the impact of heavy rain.

“Sandbags are outside the public house all the time...It got so bad on one occasion last year that a council employee had to bring sandbags at 4 am. Only for that, the pub would have been flooded,” he said.

Cllr Kelly blamed inadequate drainage and narrow pipes which results in yards being flooded and a risk to water flowing in through front doors.

He added that the junction is also busy with traffic which, when combined with heavy rain, raises the risk of a bad accident caused by flooding.

“I would be hoping to that we could do work as soon as possible,” he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, backed his colleagues saying he had also flagged it with the council. He said a number of residents in houses nearby are also at risk.

He said the pub is providing a fantastic social amenity that is very important to the area.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, was also in favour of action. He said he attended flooding at the location when he was a member of the fire service. 

Cllr Oliver Clooney, Independent, insisted that something be done.

“There is nothing as bad as flooding,” he said.

He said a solution can be found in areas badly affected by flooding as he said had been demonstrated by the council’s action at another flooding black spot in 2022.

Edmond Kenny, District, replied to Cllr Kelly in writing.

“Laois County Council will inspect the existing drainage infrastructure at this site to determine the cause of the flooding issues. A level survey will be undertaken to identify a possible drainage outfall to solve this issue,” he said.

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The matter was raised at the April Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting.