Haughey calls for flood upgrade in Donnycarney

Posted on 02/07/09 by Seán Haughey Dublin North Central T.D, and Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey, this morning met with residents of Clanmoyle Road in Donnycarney who have suffered from flooding for the second time in 12 months.

"This has been a heart-breaking event for these home owners who have been coming to terms with the flooding event last August. Many have undertaken home improvements and replaced soft furnishings and fittings only to be hit with a second, catastrophic flash flood event".

"Dublin City Council carried out investigations after the flooding event in August 2008 and suggested that the flooding was as a result of the River Wad culvert surcharging at Malahide Road, approximately 70 M upstream from the junction with Collins Avenue East, with the resultant flood waters flowing down Collins Avenue East and into Clanmoyle Road. Although additional gullies have been constructed on Clanmoyle Road the flooding has re-occurred with devastating consequences for all concerned".

"In its report Dublin City Council suggested that the most practical solution to flooding in this area was the upgrading of the River Wad culvert from the Malahide Road to the existing culvert in Clontarf Golf Club, over a distance of 600 metres. Although further investigations would be required to determine the preferred route, the cost of the upgrading is likely to be in the order of €4M."

"I am calling on Dublin City Council to upgrade the River Wad culvert so that these intolerable flood events can be eliminated for these distressed residents. In addition, I would like to see the boundary wall between the houses on Clanmoyle Road and Clontarf Golf Club replaced with high security fencing. The presence of the boundary wall acts as a catalyst for trapping the rising flood waters, thus exacerbating the problem".

"I have this morning visited the site of the flooding and met with some of the residents. I am urging Dublin City Council to resolve this problem immediately so that these residents can be protected from these flash flood events. My thoughts and sympathies are with these residents who have had to endure this terrible ordeal for a second time in such a short space of time".