Investigations into Fermoy flood still ongoing

Investigations into the Fermoy flooding which occurred in February of this year are ongoing, according to Cork County Council officials, writesKatieGlavin. Updates at Monday’s

Northern Committee meeting heard that a comprehensive investigation is ongoing of the issues encountered and this includes a ‘full lessons learnt process’.

Senior executive engineer with Cork County Council Joan Dineen, told councillors that the Office of Public Works ( OPW) have approved a review and a servicing of the two pumping stations located at Fermoy North which is to be carried out by FM Environmental, the original specialist installers.

“The main element of that is to make sure that the pumping stations are functioning correctly and also give us medium and long term recommendations to improve the system,” Ms Dineen said.

MOBILE PUMPS

Ms Dineen noted that following these works, Cork County Council will procure a third party M&E maintenance contractor for the long term servicing of the pumps.

‘ Winter Ready’ meetings are also being undertaken for the Fermoy North Flood Relief Scheme.

As a part of this,

Ms Dineen noted that a review of operational tasks was carried out with a number of key items updated.

This will see backup mobile pumps available for larger flood events and pumping stations being checked at regular intervals.

Speaking at the meeting on Monday last, September 20, local councillor William O’Leary who welcomed the report, however, appealed to the council ‘to progress the report’.

“There was a number of businesses that did receive flood damage and they’re still awaiting some form of compensation so we do need to progress this,” Cllr O’Leary said.

Cllr Kay Dawson supported Cllr O’Leary, as did Cllr Frank O’Flynn.

Cllr Dawson welcomed the extra mobile pumps for Fermoy, but also pressed for the report to be issued. “I’m glad to see the extra pumps provided for Fermoy so that we won’t have the same problems again. We need to see what we’re at with what happened last year,” she said.