'Anxiety, stress and fear' will persist until flood relief schemes are delivered in Kilkenny

Cllr Michael McCarthy has called for assurances that the delivery of a pioneering new flood relief scheme will progress quickly in Freshford to alleviate the 'anxiety, stress and fear' there.

The councillor raised the issue at the most recent full meeting of Kilkenny County Council, following news that the flood relief schemes for Freshford and Piltown are to commence thanks to funding by the Office of Public Works (OPW). 

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McCarthy said that 'the people of Freshford have suffered greatly over the last number of years with flooding, especially on the Johnstown Road, and it is sad to see sand bags still outside those houses'.

"The big worry now is that expectations have been raised and I am asking for a commitment to be given to the people of Freshford," he added.

Cllr Pat Dunphy also called for similar assurances for the people of Piltown.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen used her time to once again raise concerns around the ongoing flooding issues in Thomastown and Inistioge.

"In some capacity, every year they will flood," she said.

"There has been money allocated there for flood relief, but we still have no timeline."

Cllr Michael Doyle told elected members and council officials that 'the people of Thomastown and Inistioge have been let down'.