Cattle grazing on grass in Laois river that hasn’t been cleared in years

Clearance work is badly needed on the River Barrow in Laois on a stretch where cattle can now graze, a councillor has claimed.

Cllr Seamus McDonald, Fianna Fáil, made the claim at a meeting with Laois County Council officials where he tabled a motion calling on upstream from Ballyclare Bridge to Tinnahinch Bridge.

“This has been cleaned for 15 years. There are cattle are now grazing on the river - the grass is two feet high growing in the river where there should be water flowing,” he said.

He said the absence of clearance work combined with the trees blocking the river due to flooding raises the risk of flooded homes.

“People are living in fear there because the river has not been cleaned and it is not going to be cleaned by the look of things,” he said.

His call for clearance work was backed by his party colleague, Cllr Paddy Bracken while Durrow-based Cllr Ollie Clooney, said a river in his area and not been cleaned in up to 60 years.

“It is causing untold damage to land because there is flooding everywhere…It’s a nightmare and the weather over recent months is adding to the problem,” he said.

Cllr Clooney said the problem has been highlighted many times but nothing gets done but reports.

“Reports are no good when the flood comes it is action that is needed,” he said.

Adrian Barrett, Senior Engineer, replied in writing.

“The Council will inspect the stretch of river identified by Cllr McDonald with a view to including it on the programme of river maintenance works, subject to appropriate environmental and ecological surveys being undertaken,” he said.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District in County Hall.