Fishery officer Oisin Naughton reports that Inland Fisheries Ireland crews are assisting with flood emergency efforts in Athleague Village and Athlone Town, both in the River Shannon catchment. Emergency sandbagging at two houses in the town land of Correal, Athleague took place between Christmas and New Year. The area lies between the River Suck and River Hind catchments and comprises a number of large Turlough’s which are rapidly resembling one large lake.
The sandbagging efforts at one house comprised a double row of tonne sand bags at the back and side of the house. Defenses at the second house involved defenses at the back of the house. Relief channels were dug by Roscommon County Council to release water to the River Suck. Some damming also took place to allow for capacity on agricultural land above Correal Turlough.
In Athlone, IFI crews started around the clock manning of pumps at the Brick Island and the Jolly Mariner, on the main River Shannon. Crews worked throughout the night to refuel pumps, to monitor water levels and to clear blockages of filters. Crews are rostered around the clock, until further notice, to support Athlone Municipal District and Westmeath County Council emergency efforts and to relieve exhausted house owners, who have been working constantly for the last number of weeks on the flood defenses.
