Published: Thursday, 26th November, 2009 5:30pm

Mayor slams union's stance on striking

by Danielle Harney

The Mayor of Athlone has criticised the union representing outdoor staff for refusing to allow the council workers to come off strike to help battle the raising flood waters in the town and surrounding areas yesterday (Tuesday).

Fine Gael Councillor Mark Cooney said the flooding in Athlone was an "unprecedented emergency" and that people's homes were being ruined. However, the councillor praised the work of the Army and local volunteers.

"The council has required the union side to lift the strike action and they didn't agree to that on Monday and so the council had to call in the Army. I believe it to be totally and utterly unacceptable," he said. "The workers would go back and want to go back themselves, but the union won't let them. The weather is rising and there are new streets in town flooded today (Tuesday). It's beyond belief the attitude of the union that in the event of an emergency they would strike. The situation is worse today (Tuesday), it was bad yesterday (Monday) and it is an emergency."

On a safety level, Mayor Cooney also pointed out that the necessary road barriers and warning signage were not being put in place because of the strike.

Mayor Cooney pointed out that the County Manager and council's directors of services are out working and that he had full praise for the Army for coming to the council's assistance.

He added that he had great sympathy for the people whose houses had been flooded.

Despite the public sector strike yesterday, the emergency section of Athlone Town Council was in close contact with Army personnel who were assessing the areas where houses were most at risk of flooding, however no evacuations had been carried out by lunchtime yesterday.

"In Athlone, personnel are out in areas where the water is rising.

We are assisting the local authorities by providing manpower for sandbags or lifting people out. There is a plan in place to assist people if they need evacuation," said Press Officer Comdt Rory McCorley.

He said the Army would be responding to all requests from the local authorities in the locality.

Areas all along the banks of the Shannon, as well as Clonown Road, Deerpark Road, Assumption Road, Parnell Square, Barnett Street, Griffith Street, Peter's Port, Golden Island, Carrickobrien and Hodson Bay, are most affected by the rising water levels overnight on Monday.

Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran was out in chest-high waders yesterday in the Deerpark Road and Clonown Road areas, assisting people and maintaining contact with the council and gardaí. He said the flooding of people's homes was a tragedy.

Local units of the 4th Western Brigade have also been deployed to Ballinasloe since last Thursday.

There are currently 30 troops, six vehicles and a boat on call in the town. They have also been sent to other parts of Galway.

A total of 65 troops worked throughout the night last Thursday to assist stemming the tide of the floods and to provide trucks with high ground clearance to allow movement through the flood water.

By the end of the weekend, 5,000 sandbags were distributed by army personnel in the Ballinasloe area.

Return to: Homepage | News Index | This article