Monday 5th October 2015
- High Court decides on liability for November 2009 flooding in Cork City
The decision of the court appears to confirm what was already known locally. It has ruled on what caused the November 2009 floods, but it can never undo the devastation that was caused. Those floods and the days that followed will live long in the memory for many thousands of people in Cork.
Having an independent view and explanation of what happened is helpful, but it does nothing to undo the damage of those floods. Businesses and homes were affected across the city centre. People had lifetimes of memories washed away and destroyed. Years of hard work in developing businesses were undone by the floods. November 2009 has left a lasting mark on the city of Cork.
While an explanation is helpful what are needed most are steps to stop the continual problem of flooding in Cork. Areas like Oliver Plunkett Street, Grand Parade and Middle Parish, as well as Togher and Douglas, have been affected by floods on too many occasions.
The Government’s capital plan contains a commitment to putting in place flood defence and prevention system of the scale that Cork requires. It will be the largest flood defence scheme ever undertaken by the Office of Public Works and it shows that this project is getting the priority it rightly deserves. It is expected that works will commence in 2016 following further public consultations on the proposals.
Ends