Much despair and frustration amongst residents and traders in Cork town after latest flooding

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Flooding occurred in Bantry town this morning after torrential rain in the last 24 hours throughout County Cork.

Independent Ireland Councillor Danny Collins said there was much despair amongst business owners and residents following the flooding in the picturesque West Cork town. “Bantry was again hit by flooding early this morning. There was intense rain between 3am and 4am. To meet and talk to some of the business owners their faces and voices looked and sounded drained. What cost and hardship this has brought on them again.”

Cllr Collins extended his thanks to the local fire brigade members, Cork County Council employees, staff members with private contractors, local businesses and residents who rallied around to help each other.

Bantry is considered a high risk area, with flooding occurring four times in 18 months between 2018 and 2020 which has had a devastating impact on local businesses.

Bantry was also one of the worst affected areas after severe flooding in October 2024, with a number of shops flooded on Main Street and New Street.

Residents and traders have continually expressed their frustration at the delay in the delivery of both the culvert scheme and the larger flood relief scheme, given they had been promised in 2020 that work would commence on both schemes without undue delay.

Cllr Collins said there are a number of factors that need to be sorted out without delay. “Number 1 is the culverts. In a motion last month I looked for a timeline for these works and what I got back is a start date in 2027. Number 2 is the flood relief scheme and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have come out saying at least 2030/31 before we see this started.

“All I can say to both residents and businesses is that I will keep raising and pushing hard through Cork County Council and through Deputy Michael Collins in Dáil Éireann to keep pushing the relevant ministers until we see progress,” he added.