Start of Bord na Móna drainage work on local bogs welcomed locally

Work on clearing drains adjacent to Mountdillon Bog and at other bogs in County Roscommon got underway earlier this week following local flooding concerns where rewetting was taking place.

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly welcomed the move by Bord na Móna to begin work last weekend on the clearing of drains. It follows a number of public meetings and recent discussions with Roscommon County Council and OPW minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.

Last weekend, Mr Mullooly joined local farmers and community activists to see the first machines go in to clear blockages on sections of drains near Curraghroe in County Roscommon. 

The move has been welcomed by local landowners, Nuala Malone and Noel Moran from Ballyleague, who said it was “an important first step in the process of clearing all drains that have been blocked and were causing serious concerns for local farmers in the area”.

A consultative study will now be carried out by Roscommon County Council to determine what additional works need to be carried out in the coming months on private land and tributaries, and rivers near homes that have been threatened by flooding in the area.

Mr Mullooly has welcomed Saturday’s development: “This is very much the first step in a long series of steps that have to be taken to ensure that private land is not flooded. I advise any landowner who hasn’t already been in contact with Bord na Móna to get in touch with them and we will continue to ensure that the blockages that are in place are taken out slowly but surely.”