Emergency Services Update on Flooding in County Clare and Ennis

The Inter-Agency group comprising of the Local Authority, Gardai, Fire Services, Civil Defence are continuing to co-ordinate the response to the flooding situation in Ennis.

The Gort Road and Limerick Road access to Ennis have been closed. The advice from the Gardai is for motorists to avoid Ennis. Many areas of Ennis are closed to traffic due to flooding and motorists should not unless absolutely necessary come to Ennis.

The sandbags are being used at key locations. In addition empty bags and sand are being provided at the following locations to facilitate local people who are encouraged to fill the bags themselves and use them to protect and safe property.

• Honeywell
• Tobertaoscain
• Castle Lawn
• Foir Uisce
• Ard Aoibhinn
• Francis Street

Other locations will be advised.

The river levels remain a matter of concern and are expected to arise later. The high tide today is scheduled for 9 p.m. Accordingly the risk of further flooding will be higher from approximately 7 30 p.m. this evening. The volume of water north of Ennis is significant and will continue to make its way through Ennis.

Local people are advised that sandbags are not available for collection by individuals. The available stock of sandbags is being utilised to respond to critical areas.

At present 52 people have been evacuated from Willowpark and Oakwood Drive and householders in Foir Uisce on the Gort Road are also been evacuated.

Given the present status of the flooding the emergency response will continue on a 24 hour basis. The helpline is 1890-252943 and will operate on a 24 hour basis.

The Emergency Services are monitoring levels of water. The general public is advised to take the necessary steps regarding personal hygiene.

The Emergency Services are monitoring levels of water on an ongoing basis. Water supplies are also being monitored. In the interests of personal safety people should avoid contact with flood waters and parents are requested to be particularly vigilant with children.

Below is the latest details in relation to roads affected by flooding:

Ennis District

Girroga Lake has burst its bank has flooded Gort Road Industrial Road Industrial Estate
Abbey Street car park slight flooding
Ard Aoibhinn, Limerick Road, limited access
Honeywell is flooded
Abbey Street – Access can be gained from Francis Street and up, Queens Hotel.
Newbridge Road, Ennis not passable
Causeway link now open
Tubber Road, Corofin – not passable
Druimmin on Kilrush Road – Stop/Go system, Ennis Bound Lane is not passable
Lissane & Kildysart Road, Clarecastle, not passable
Cusack Lawn, Lahinch Road, Ennis – not passable
Tobertaiscean closed from Limerick road junction
Limerick Road Captain Mac’s – Not passable
Ennis to Corofin passable
Aughanteeroe Estate, Gort Road – At the back is under water and is rising into driveways – sandbags have been delivered to all houses
Glassan Estate and Claureen Drive, Drumcliff Road is flooded
Ballyline on the N18 flooding on road but passable
Gort Road not passable
Elm Park housing estate – closed
Bridge at Bank Place closed to vehicular traffic
Lissane Cross to Claremount Road closed


Shannon District

Shannon to Newmarket on Fergus Road (Old Road) bad but passable
Crowe’s shop Sixmilebridge at junction with Cratloe Road, flooded but passable
Old roads in the back parts Newmarket On Fergus are flooded
Rossmanaghan Road Sixmilebridge not passable


Ennistymon District – Confirmed with Area Engineer

North of Inagh on Ennis to Ennistymon Road not passable
Maurice’s Mills road from Corofin Road – Not passable
All towns North of Ennistymon – (Ballyvaughan, Carron) not passable
Detours in place and are well sign posted
Leminagh Castle not passable – 4 feet of water on the road
Kilrush District – Confirmed with Area Engineer
Doonbeg at Mount River’s Bridge is not passable
Shragh not passable
Cooraclare to Kilrush flooded not passable
Cooraclare to Cree flooded but passable
Annaghgeeragh Bridge from Cree to Miltown Malbay not passable
Flooding Cappa not passable


Killaloe District

Old Road from Tulla to Quin is not passable
R461 Feakle to Scarriff road is not passable – lake has burst its bank
R466 Broadford to Tulla Road is not passable. Two large floods two miles out of Broadford
Divert take Broadford to Bodyke road go left for O Callaghan’s Mills
One mile out of Broadford on the Sixmilebridge road Doon Lake had burst its banks Diversions in place.

Comhairle Gives Young Limerick People A Voice

Up to 60 students and young people from across County Limerick participated in the eight annual Comhairle na nÓg at County Hall, Dooradoyle today.

The Comhairle, which is part of a programme being run by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is a local forum for young people where they can discuss local and national issues of relevance to them.

Delegates - representing Schools, Youth Projects, Youthreach, Voluntary Youth Clubs and Special Interest Groups throughout the County - this year chose to discuss the issues of “Alcohol and Drugs” and “Internet Safety and Social Networking Sites”. They also nominated 21 of their fellow delegates to a newly developed County Limerick Youth Council.

The Council, which will meet six times a year and is supported by Limerick Youth Service, will give members the opportunity to raise matters that concern them with the relevant authorities and agencies, in particular to liaise and consult with Limerick County Council, the County Limerick Youth Affairs Sub-Committee and others, on issues of relevance to young people. The Council members will also nominate students to represent the County at Dail na nÓg or “Youth Parliament” in March when Comhairlí representatives from 34 local authority areas around the country convene in Dublin.

Addressing delegates today, Councillor David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: “Since its foundation in 2002, Limerick County Comhairle na nÓg has seen a steady increase in its membership which is a tribute to those who coordinate it and continue to develop the initiative.”

He added: “The Comhairle is a wonderful opportunity for young people to contribute to making things better for themselves and their communities. I am delighted to see that Comhairle na nÓg is increasingly being recognised by local, regional and national bodies, which proves that the process is effective and does make a difference to the lives of young people.”

Councillor Naughton congratulated those involved in organising Limerick County Comhairle na nÓg, including the staff of Limerick County Council’s community and enterprise section along with the Limerick County Development Board; Jackie Dwane, youth officer with County Limerick VEC; Maurice Walsh and his team from Limerick Youth Service; and the Facilitators and Note takers who assisted delegates in preparing their presentations.”

Speaking following Comhairle na nÓg 2009, Ms Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services stated: “The Community and Enterprise section of Limerick County Council, the Limerick County Development Board and other bodies throughout the County are very aware of the importance of considering the opinions of younger members of the community when devising local or national policy. In recent years, the input and opinions of local Comhairle delegates have helped to formulate national policies affecting the lives of young people. On a local level, Limerick County Council has developed many policies with substantial input from children and young people.”

Commenting on the theme of “Alcohol and Drugs”, Ms. Cotter Coughlan stated: “Alcohol and drug misuse can have a devastating impact on individuals, families and entire communities. It is one of the biggest issues facing Irish society and, therefore, it is important that every member of society has their say on how it should be handled.”

On the issue of “Internet Safety and Social Networking Sites”, Ms. Cotter Coughlan said there was no mistaking the many risks arising from new communication technologies becoming a part of the daily life of children.

“In recent years - through the widespread use of email, social networking sites and instant messaging - we have witnessed how the anonymous and far reaching communication capabilities of the Internet have brought a new dimension to child protection issues. In this context, I am delighted that Comhairle delegates have empowered themselves to determine, understand and manage the risks associated with the internet and social networking sites. Nevertheless, it is critical to emphasise that the Internet has a very positive influence on the lives of young people in Ireland”, she added.

In recent years, children and young people from every part of County Limerick have discussed a variety of issues, including anti-social behaviour in the community, the way future recreation facilities and youth cafes will be developed and managed; and the development of playgrounds.

Further information on Limerick County Comhairle na nÓg is available from the Community and Enterprise section of Limerick County Council on 061-496000. For more on Dáil na nÓg log on to www.dailnanog.ie.

Emergency Services Update On Flooding In County Clare And Ennis

The emergency services response to ‘unprecedented’ flooding in Ennis is being coordinated from Clare County Council’s Headquarters building on the New Road,Ennis.

The Emergency Team comprises Clare Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána, HSE, Clare County and Fire Rescue Service, Clare Civil Defence and the Army. The Emergency Team is in regular contact with the Office of Public Works, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and other agencies. Priorities for the emergency team include public safety, protection of property and relaying timely and accurate information and advice. Members of the public are advised to make essential journeys only.

A significant number of routes in County Clare, including Ennis, are closed due to flooding (information on all closed routes below). The only access routes to Ennis are the Tulla Road and Kilrush Road. All other approach roads to Ennis, including the Gort Road, are closed.

The Emergency Services are presently evacuating areas where flooding cannot be controlled by sandbags or pumps. Approximately 40 households at Elm Park (Gort Road) and Oakwood Drive (Watery Road) in Ennis have been evacuated today due to serious flooding. The Emergency Services are presently attempting to fill a breach in a river wall, close to the Club Bridge in Ennis Town Centre (Abbey Street Carpark). Ennis Recycling Centre and Ennis Dog Pound in the Gort Industrial State have been closed due to flooding.

The Emergency Services are monitoring levels of water on an ongoing basis. In the interests of personal safety people should avoid contact with flood waters and parents are requested to be particularly vigilant with children. A help line (1890-252943) has been set up for members of the public in Ennis.

Despite today’s respite from the heavy rain of previous days, it is expected that tidal conditions will continue to pose a flooding threat in County Clare and, in particular, Ennis. It is expected that further rain over the weekend will create additional flooding problems for Ennis.

Ennis District as of 11.30am on 20/11/09

Girroga Lake has burst its bank threatening to flood Gort Road industrial Estate
Abbey Street car park slight flooding
Ard Aoibhinn, Limerick Road, limited access
Honeywell is flooded.
Abbey Street - Closed for traffic
Newbridge Road, Ennis not passable.
Causeway link now open
Tubber Road, Corofin – not passable.
Druimmin, on Kilrush Road. – Stop / Go system, Ennis Bound Lane is not passable.
Lissane & Kildysart Road, Clarecastle, not passable.
Cusack Lawn, Lahinch Road, Ennis – Not passable
Tobertaiscean closed from Limerick road junction
Clonroad, Mangan’s to Suttons Lights not passable
Drehidnagower Road is flooded but passable
Drumcliff Road from Lees Road complex to Graveyard not passable
Dun Na Hinse on Lahinch Road, not passable
Castlefergus, Quin – bad but passable.
Spancil Hill to Quin bad but passable.
Toonagh, Fountain on Corofin Road not passable.
Lifford rd closed
Harmony row closed
Watery Road, - Not passable.
Limerick Road Captain Mac’s– Not passable.
Aughanteeroe Estate, Gort Rd, At the back is under water and is rising into driveways.- sand bags have been delivered to all houses
Glassan Estate, and Claureen Drive, Drumcliff Rd, is Flooded.
Ballyline on the N18 flooding on road but passable.
Gort Road one lane only
Elm Park housing estate - closed
Bridge at back –place closed

Shannon District

Shannon to Newmarket on Fergus Road (Old Road) Bad but passable
Crowe’s shop Sixmilebridge at junction with Cratloe Road, flooded but passable.
Old roads in the back parts Newmarket on Fergus are flooded

Ennistymon District

North of Inagh on Ennis To Ennistymon Road not passable,
Maurice’s Mills road from Corofin Road – Not passable.
All towns North of Ennistymon ~ (Ballyvaughan, Carron) Not passable.
Detours in place and are well sign posted

Kilrush District

Doonbeg at Mount River’s Bridge is not passable
Shragh not passable.
Cooraclare to Kilrush and Cooraclare to Cree is flooded but passable.
Annaghgeeragh Bridge from Cree to Miltown Malbay not passable.
Flooding Cappa not passable

Killaloe District

Old Road from Tulla to Quin is not passable.
R461 Feakle to Scarriff road is not passable.
R466 Broadford to Tulla Rd is not passable. Two large floods two miles out of Broadford.
Divert take Broadford to Bodyke road go left for O Callaghan’s mills
One mile out of Broadford on the Sixmilebridge road Doon Lake had burst its banks.