Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Patrick O’Donovan, visited Lough Funshinagh near Rahara on Thursday last to meet with local representatives as work commenced on the installation of an overflow pipe to alleviate flooding in the area.
The Minister of State said he was delighted that Roscommon County Council had taken the decision to proceed with urgent works in order to control water levels at the lough.
“The flooding has placed a considerable hardship on homeowners and the community and the news of the commencement of these works will help alleviate the distress and anxiety that the continued threat of flooding is having in the area,” he said.
The works have been designed by Malachy Walsh and Partners Consulting Engineers on behalf of the local authority and involve the construction of a 2.6km pipeline to an existing watercourse leading to the Shannon, associated ancillary works and a control structure at Lough Funshinagh.
Deputy O’Donovan said works officially commenced on June 8th and were estimated to take between three and four months to complete.
Roscommon County Council Chief Executive, Eugene Cummins, thanked the Minister of State and the Government for making the resources of the OPW available to carry out the works, which, he said, would allow the community of Lough Funshinagh to “sleep safely next winter”.
“I would also like to thank the present Municipal District Councillors and those politicians who trusted me to make the right decision on their behalf. In particular, I would like to thank John Curtin and his colleagues in the OPW of their advice and assistance over the last few months,” he said.
Rahara native and Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Laurence Fallon, described it as “big day for the people around Lough Funshinagh”, who, he said, were grateful to the Minister and the Office of Public Works.
“This wouldn’t have happened without the Chief Executive Eugene Cummins and his team at Roscommon County Council,” he said, before praising local farmers and landowners for their support of residents affected by the flooding.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan paid tribute to local residents including Geraldine Murray and members of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee for their “continuous efforts” to find a solution.
“I look forward to seeing this progress quickly over the summer months with a scheduled completion date at the end of September/start of October,” she said.
