More than 100 evacuated in heaviest flooding for years
More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes because of some of the worst flooding for years in Ireland.
Victims in Co Clare were accommodated in hotels and sandbags were used to protect businesses and houses, a spokesman for the local council said.
The Government Inter-Departmental group has met to co-ordinate a response to the floods which have devastated large parts of the country.
The meeting was chaired by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and heard reports from Minister for Environment John Gormley who today visited Cork, Ennis and Galway to assess the damage caused.
Mr Gormley insisted that Government investment in flood protection measures would continue despite the economic downturn.
Meanwhile, members of the Defence Forces have been deployed to some of the worst hit areas, including Cork city, Clonmel, Ballinasloe and Carlow where they are assisting the local emergency services.
A further 300 troops are on standby with fears that further heavy rain could see the problem worsen.
Flooding in Galway has worsened following heavy overnight rain and high winds.
Irish Farmers’ Association President Padraig Walshe travelled to Co Galway this afternoon to meet farmers and discuss the flooding crisis.
Rising flood waters now cover tens of thousands of acres of land.
Throughout Ireland council workers have been out since early morning opening drains and gullies in an effort to keep down water levels.
Almost all minor roads in the south and east of Co Galway are flooded and extreme care needs to be taken by motorists who attempt to get through waterlogged sections.
Hundreds of local volunteers brought in earth moving equipment to try to relieve flooding around farm buildings.
In Ballinasloe, Co Galway, the Electricity Supply Board has cut off power supplies to flooded estates but some families who were unwilling to leave their homes brought in generators to provide themselves with temporary supplies.
Although flood waters receded around Cork city this morning, 18,000 houses on the northside have been without water because of damage to a pumping station.
Tankers with emergency supplies were available at a number of locations in the city overnight.
Fears of water pollution resulted in boil notices in parts of Cork and in Galway.
Cork City Council’s emergency task force met this morning. Torrential rain fell for over two hours in Cork this morning making many roads impassable.
Water levels flowing into the lakes at the Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid dams are high but ESB staff have said they are monitoring the situation very closely and have no plans to increase the level of discharge for at least the next four hours.
