A Laois County Councillor has slammed the Council for the exclusion of a Mountmellick river in a programme of essential works.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken requested clarification as to whether the Pound River will be cleaned, as it poses high risks of flooding this winter.

Senior Executive Engineer with the Council, Mr Rory O’Callaghan, replied that this river is not included in the programme of works for 2025.

“That river is in an awful bad state, I thought that it was included,” Cllr Bracken said.

Mr O’Callaghan replied that the Council cannot carry out such works at this time of year, due to constraints with the National Parks and Wildlife and Fisheries divisions.

“When can it be done? It is essential that the river is clear, for winter and heavy rain,” Cllr Bracken argued. 

“That comes across all of Cloncannon and runs parallel to a stream of the Owenass river. Jaysus, it's on my own road, I see it every day. Surely to god rather than people being flooded, there has to be something done with it,” he said.

Mr O’Callaghan replied that it will be next July before the Council can clean the river, following an Appropriate Assessment screening.

“That's not much consolation to the people living in the vicinity. That’s very disappointing. That river, any flooding in Mountmellick, I cannot believe it,” Cllr Bracken said incredulously.

“What happens if there’s a flood in the morning? It wants to be addressed, that’s all, I’m saying it in the strongest possible way,” he said.

“I realise what is being done, but there’s a fear there for people. You know the history. That river goes to the Barrow straight through Graigue. I just can’t believe that this river isn’t included,” Cllr Bracken finished.

This matter was raised at the October sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.

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