Not prepared for natural disaster in north Leitrim

A Civil Defence Unit is being sought in Manorhamilton by one councillor, who suggests “we are not prepared for a natural disaster.” Kinlough Councillor Justin Warnock asked for a designated unit of Civil Defence volunteers to be stationed in the Manorhamilton Municipal District.

Speaking this week, he said “we have to look after our own MD - Kinlough and Tullaghan are over 40 miles from Drumshanbo.” Leitrim's Civil Defence Unit is based in Drumshanbo and has 20 active members. The volunteer group currently has 12 applications for membership and these people will be interviewed shortly and suitable candidates selected.

However, Cllr Warnock said it is a “disgrace there is no Civil Defence team on the ground” in north Leitrim.

He added, “It beggars belief we are not looking for more volunteers.”

He noted that Tullaghan has become a very popular surf location and that there are “over 100 members at the kayak club in Lough Melvin.”

He also outlined Glencar, Glenade and numerous other activity locations across north Leitrim are attracting visitors, hikers, walkers, etc and he said training for Civil Defence volunteers should take place in north Leitrim and a team should be formed that could be activated quickly if needed. All councillors supported the motion with Cllr Felim Gurn commenting, “We are just one disaster away and we would be scrambling.”

Mary Quinn, Director of Services at Leitrim County Council outlined there is one Civil Defence Unit based in Drumshanbo who have a countywide remit and include volunteers from all over Leitrim. She said they can work with the Leitrim Civil Defence to raise awareness of the volunteer group and to encourage more volunteers to join.