Bandon business owners fearful of next flood event

BANDON’S residents and business owners are becoming ‘extremely anxious’ as a result of the recent weather conditions, said Deputy Murphy O’Mahony in the Dáil recently.

The deputy was seeking an update on the flood relief and main drainage scheme in the town. She reminded the House that the town has been brought to its knees due to flooding on three occasions since 2009, the last two floods happening only weeks apart. 

‘I acknowledge the amazing heart and extreme resilience of the people of Bandon,’ she said. ‘They got up and fought back each time. The Minister of State will be aware that a €16m flood relief scheme for Bandon is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works, in partnership with Cork County Council.’

She said the work has been progressing well to date, but local residents and business owners are now becoming extremely anxious as a result of the weather conditions they have been experiencing lately. On January 19th last, the town was again on flood alert.

Residents and business owners are at the end of their tether now, she said, and unable to deal with the devastation another flood would cause to their properties, particularly those unable to get insurance.

Replying on behalf of the Minister for OPW Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan said his brother is a publican on the main street in Bandon and his business premises was one of those flooded. ‘Deputy Boxer Moran, visited Bandon last summer to see the great work being done to bring much-needed relief,’ he said. ‘The Bandon scheme is progressing well. Like any major civil engineering project, it is not without its difficulties, but I assure the deputy that he has been emphasising to his officials that every effort must be made to ensure the scheme remains on target for completion in mid-2019 in accordance with the latest agreed construction programme.’