Calls for emergency fund for post-storm damage

MAYO County Council and relevant departments need to put an emergency fund aside for repairs to damage caused by storms.

At a meeting of the West Mayo Municipal District today, Achill-based Councillor Paul McNamara highlighted the damage multiple storms have caused to areas across the region, including the serious effect coastal erosion has had in Achill, Ballycroy, Blacksod and all along the western seaboard as a result of these storms.

He cited examples of houses in Dooagh that are within 30 to 40 feet of the coastline and are in serious danger of further damage if future plans are not made.

He stated that houses in Dugort and Dooega are getting closer to the edge due to coastal erosion, and used an example of one particular home that is now 20 feet away from a 100 foot drop, and is in serious danger in future of being washed away.

Councillor McNamara said that two beaches in Achill are in serious danger of their whole head being washed away - in particular Keel beach, due to storm damage since the beginning of the year – and are currently inaccessible. He added that the sewage treatment that runs close to the shoreline near Keem village is also in danger.

He noted that three severe storms have happened since the turn of the year and the damage caused has not been repaired.

There are fears if another storm hits the region like the ones that have done, the damage caused could be irreparable, with severe high tides and winds of 140 to 150 km/h 'the type of storms we are getting now'.

He acknowledged that the council have called on emergency funding to carry out repairs but the money has yet to come through, noting that if an emergency fund was available, repair work could be carried out when the storm has calmed.

Councillors Seán Carey and Gerry Coyle were in agreement with his idea of an emergency fund to be in place, with Councillor Coyle adding that pre-emptive work could also be done for future storms from causing further damage.

Councillor Peter Flynn called this a national issue, as well as a local issue. He said it was abundantly clear, from attending any climate action meetings in the past year, that 'we are moving into territory that we have never ever encountered before' regarding higher seas and more frequent storms.

He added that as a nation, 'critical decisions' must be made in terms of how we deal with future storms.

Councillor Johnny O'Malley was also in agreement, calling for more funding to be made available.

It wouldn't be easy going forward to find a solution to the growing issues, he said.