Floods aftermath video – Community spirit rallies amidst fears for future

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘It is not their fault that insurance companies will not provide them with cover. It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens no matter where they live. There is always lots of money for consultants, bankers and politicians but not enough for citizens in need’ – Gerry Adams

SINN FÉIN ACTIVISTS have been out in Limerick and Cork supporting communities hit by last weekend’s floods. Meanwhile, in the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD called for a Government-funded financial aid scheme for flood victims unable to get insurance cover because of where they live.

Limerick City Sinn Féin Councillor Maurice Quinlivan spoke to An Phoblacht on his way into one of the community-run relief centres where families whose homes and goods have been destroyed in the floodwater have been receiving much-needed and appreciated donations of clean drinking water, food, toiletries, clothes and baby supplies.

He credited Public Works Minister Brian Hayes for arriving promptly after the deluge swept through people’s homes and neighbourhoods in the early hours of Saturday but emphasised that the Government has to financially help people the insurance companies will not cover.

Minister Hayes told Anne Sheridan of the Limerick Leader:

“I’m in this job three years and have seen maybe 15 cases of flooding but nothing as bad as this. This is the worst case I’ve seen, given the concentration of flooding, covering about 300 houses. This is a very acute situation.”

He saw that people have been “traumatised” and said he wanted “no bickering” between local and central government agencies. The state must ensure, Minister Hayes said, that “people in this area never, ever have to go through this appalling situation again”.

Speaking to An Phoblacht from the Star Rovers Football Club in Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan said:

“The wave was unexpected and so big. Seeing flooding on the telly is one thing but seeing it close-up and how it affects people in their family homes is devastating – the water damage, the sewerage, the smell, the after-effects, and the shock and trauma it causes people of all ages. It has to be experienced at first-hand to be fully understood.”

He feared that St Mary’s Park, even though it was undergoing regeneration, may even have to be demolished such was the impact of the flooding.

• Emergency services filling sandbags for flood defences 

The Sinn Féin councillor complimented the many companies and local shops who had rallied round and paid tribute to the emergency services, council and community workers. He gave a special mention to Sinn Féin activists Kevin Maguire and John Costelloe (John Costelloe is interviewed on this video that shows the extent of the damage).

“Kevin Maguire and John Costelloe single-handedly sandbagged O’Dwyer’s Villas at Thomond Gate and prevented that from flooding on Sunday,” Maurice Quinlivan said.

• Maurice Quinlivan with Sinn Féin activists Kevin Maguire and John Costelloe during the flood relief work 

The Limerick councillor fears the impact of another flood and urged central government and local government agencies to develop a long-term strategic plan.

❑  IN THE DÁIL on Wednesday, Gerry Adams criticised a media interview by Brian Hayes where the Fine Gael Cabinet Minister seemed to dismiss the plight of communities at risk from flooding and pleading about the costs.

“This is not good enough,” Gerry Adams said.

“Many of the families in areas of flood risk have lived there for generations. Some have already been affected by flooding on multiple occasions.

“We are talking in the main here about ordinary working-class communities or small businesses with no major resources of their own. They have watched as their property and belongings are destroyed. They have to replace everything from scratch.

“It is not their fault that insurance companies will not provide them with cover. It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens no matter where they live. There is always lots of money for consultants, bankers and politicians but not enough for citizens in need.”

• Cork City: Sinn Féin European Parliament candidate Liadh Ní Riada (centre) with Councillors Chris O'Leary and Mick Nugent meeting residents, shop owners and workers

Gerry Adams said Sinn Féin has been pushing for contingency plans to be put in place to deal with flooding but the Government appears incapable of strategic planning.

It is reported that 300 cities, town and villages in this state are at ‘significant’ risk of flooding.

“It is obvious that the Government has to plan ahead,” Gerry Adams said. He noted that experts have said a tidal weir like that built across the Lagan replicated on the Lee would resolve the flooding crisis in Cork. “Similar solutions are available in other places.”

The Sinn Féin leader asked where is the Government’s long-term plan to deal in a strategic way with the major flood risk the state now faced and what flood defences would be put in place to protect cities and towns across the state.