Vincent and Ann Brady from Lisserdrea, Co Roscommon have not slept for days because they are battling to save their family home as raging flood waters devastate yet another western community.
Members of Lough Ree sub aqua club ferried sandbags and bales of briquettes to the Brady home less than two miles from Boyle over the weekend, as large wrapped silage bales floated by their dingy and water climbed over the family’s tractor and farm machinery.
“We are now on an island surrounded by water ,” explained Ann Brady, who for days has had no heat, no washing machine, dishwasher or showers, and no functioning toilets as water flooded the pump house and septic tank.
As roads outside turned into a river and county council trucks laden with sandbags failed to access the property, Ann Brady dialled 999 in a desperate attempt to save her home.
“One of the lads is in the Lough Ree sub aqua club so we called them in,” explained Castlerea-based Garda sergeant Frank Egan who took and the call and headed straight to the Brady’s farm to help with the pumping operation.
The cattle have been moved to high ground, and the water is now up to the top of the windows on the original Brady home which was built in the early 1800s .
“One of the three pumps seized during the night,” explained Ann. “I suppose it just burned out. We moved the jeep and the cars to high ground but there is six feet of water in the sheds . Our turf is destroyed, power washers are ruined and my garden is underwater”.
“I put on my waders and climb up through the fields when I go for a shower in a friend’s house,” said Ann, who was close to tears as she speculated on the threat another day’s heavy rain will pose to her home.
“There is probably 150 acres around here under water now,” said neighbour Tom Mullaney. “This is a basin in a limestone area and as well as the turlough across from the Brady’s house , Lough Gara and the Boyle river are adding to the problem”.
The water outside the home is now three quarters way up an ESB pole visible from the Brady's kitchen window. The family know that a power outage will spell disaster for their home.
“I don’t know when I slept but I don’t want to sleep,” said Ann Brady. “When I, close my eyes all I can see is water.”
