CLONMEL Corporation has decided to review a hydrological survey carried out before work began on a main drainage scheme. The scheme has been blamed for the present floods the worst in recent memory.
The decision was taken last night after the borough engineer, Mr Jim Keating, dismissed claims that the drainage work was responsible for the flooding. He said the town, by its nature, was prone to flooding in a draft report presented to the 12 member council, Mr Keating said the primary causes of the flooding were an exceptional combination of meteorological conditions. These included very high rainfall in the Suir river catchment high spring tides at Waterford strong south easterly winds and low atmospheric pressure.
His report concluded "Suggestions have been made that works carried out as part of the main drainage scheme had an effect on the level of flooding in Clonmel in that regard, the corporation is satisfied that these works did not contribute in any way to the severity of the flooding.
"Prior to the carrying out of these works, the corporation's consultants carried out a hydrological survey and the works were designed and constructed to be flood neutral i.e. they do not affect the flow regime in the river Suir.
"Regrettably, the conditions as set out earlier resulted in the severe flooding presently being experienced in the river Suir flood plain."
The Suir rose again last evening and civil defence teams sandbagged threatened areas. But the high winds abated later and serious flooding did not recur.
Ms Therese Ahearn the Fine Gael TD, said during the meeting that a man made cause of the crisis should not be ruled out if necessary, she added, experts from Holland should be brought in to examine the entire flooding phenomenon in Clonmel.
It could not be denied, she went on, that many of the flood plains surrounding the river Suir in the past had now disappeared because of overdevelopment. Compensation should be paid to the families worst affected, she said.
Ms Vera Hewitt (Fianna Fail) said that the families enduring most of the suffering in the recent flooding incidents were the same ones who had suffered 12 months ago. They could not get house insurance and therefore it was up to the corporation and the Government to look after them.
Mr Ted Boyle, an independent councillor, said agricultural and forestry practices in the area would have to be reviewed, as would the removal of trees. Compensation for the victims was a matter of urgency.
Mr Sean Lyons (Labour) said that while compensation was vital, so was a solution to the problem.
And Seamus Healy of the Workers Unemployed Action Group said that the Government response had been most disappointing.
The corporation also decided that as well as seeking compensation a deputation should be sent to the Government to demand an inquiry into all aspects of the flooding.
. Flooding was receding in Clonmel and Carrick on Suir this morning, according to gardai. Meanwhile, the Minister for the Environment was accused of being "callous and uncaring" by the president of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, Ms Kathleen Maher, after Mr Howlin's statement that no funding was available to alleviate flood problems.