A number of important buildings in Kilkenny are to be placed under close observation after a shift in land along the quayside during work on a €40 million flood relief scheme.
The project got under way in the summer of 2001 and involves the construction of walls and embankments along the Rivers Nore and Breagagh, the deepening and widening of a stretch of the Nore through the city, the underpinning of bridges and the restoration or construction of weirs.
The scheme extends from north of Green's Bridge to Fennessy's Weir, downstream of Ossory Bridge.
A slight shift of the material underneath the land along the quays has created visible cracks in some properties and damaged the road surface close to John's Bridge in the city centre.
A spokesperson for the OPW said they had been in contact with Kilkenny Borough Council and the occupiers of the properties affected and were dealing with the matter.
"We are monitoring the houses and we will carry out any necessary works."
Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD, Mr John McGuinness, acknowledged yesterday that work is under way to resolve the problem but expressed concern about the risk to businesses in the area.
"The OPW are now monitoring the structures for damage and potential damage due to further shifting. They can take steps to arrest the problem but can't correct the previous shift. There are a number of houses and businesses affected and I am particularly concerned that a listed building, the Carnegie Library, is in the area involved.
"I would like to know more about the consequences of this slight shift of material. It must be serious if the OPW has put up marking signs to see if further shifts occur."
Mr McGuinness, who is also a member of Kilkenny Borough Council, said he was angry that local councillors were not informed of the problem sooner.
"As public representatives we should have been informed of the problem. Even the borough executive engineer was not told until the OPW addressed our monthly meeting on Monday night. People are now asking us about the consequences. I am tabling a Dáil question to Minister [of State] Tom Parlon to get a further report on this matter."
Mr McGuinness said he wants to know why the possibility of such a potentially damaging incident was not considered or investigated prior to work starting on the scheme.
In September of this year, medieval burial slabs were discovered under John's Bridge during dredging operations to improve the water flow. A significant number of other artefacts were also found.