Sent: 13 July 2020 23:14
To:patrick.odonovan@oir.ie <patrick.odonovan@oir.ie>
Subject: River Shannon
Carrickobrien, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Dear Mr O’Donovan,
I am writing to you on behalf of The Mid-Shannon Flood Relief Group. This Group was formed in 2016 to campaign for relief from flooding for all residents living beside the Shannon between the areas of Athlone and Meelick. These residents have been severely impacted by flooding in November/December 2009 and in December 2015/January 2016 and again in February of 2020. These severe floods have brought hardship and worry to the lives of these residents in the following way:
By causing them to temporarily leave their homes and/or engage in around the clock activity manning water pumps to prevent water entering their homes:
by flood water entering their sheds and outbuildings and causing them financial hardship in terms of moving stock, repairs, loss of work and revenue:
by preventing them from living their normal lives due to damaged homes and blocked/damaged roads, bridges and lanes:
by preventing access to work, school, farms and livestock etc.
Over the past eleven years we have had numerous floods during the Summer months in the fields and Callows adjacent the Shannon. These floods have impacted greatly on farming, livestock and wildlife.
On 10 August 2019 the floods rose rapidly due to torrential rain and many farmers lost hay and silage as a result. The water remained on the land until the end of March 2020.
Due to the recent torrential rain the water is rising rapidly in our area. Already our water levels are two feet above normal for this time of year and are increasing each day. We have had yellow and orange rain warnings from Met Eireann for Connacht and the North West on a number of occasions over the past fortnight and the rain that has fallen in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon is now coming down river to our area. It is prevented from getting away quickly by various blockages in the river – both natural and man-made.
These blockages or pinch points have been brought to the attention of your predecessors by the residents of our region over the past several years and by our Group in particular over the past five years. We have also pointed out that the rising water in the Mid Shannon region is not being released in time through Athlone Weir, Shaughnessy’s Lock and Meelick Weir in order to prevent flooding.
These locks and weirs are under the control of the ESB and Waterways Ireland. Your predecessor, Kevin “Boxer” Moran informed us on many occasions that he was in direct contact with these organisations to check on water levels and ask them to release water in a timely manner before the levels became unmanageable.
I’m sure you have seen and heard the reports on TV and radio over the past number of years concerning flooding in the Mid Shannon region and so are aware of the problems faced by those who live in this region. Various promises have been made by the past three Governments in relation to flood relief measures in our area. Some relief measures have been implemented (especially in the Athlone town area) and one pinch point has been removed. However, we have yet to see
a) a co-ordinated plan for the release of water at Locks and Weirs in time to prevent flooding,
b) a coordinated plan to control the level of the water in Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg during times of heavy rain,
c) a timetable for the removal of pinch points.
Our group have a plan and we are utterly convinced that it will mitigate the flooding (if implemented). It is also cost effective.
As minister of the OPW with the most responsibility for flooding and for the overall maintenance of the Shannon we ask you to meet us as a matter of urgency so that we can discuss our plans with you. We can come to your office at a time that is convenient for you or alternatively we can organize a meeting with you in Athlone. We can arrange social distancing as our group will be kept very small.
Finally, may I wish you great success in your new Ministerial position. Our group look forward to meeting you.
Yours sincerely
(Secretary of The Mid-Shannon Flood Relief Group)