Environmental group removes 'insensitive' Lough Funshinagh cartoon

A cartoon about the stoppage of the Lough Funshinagh flood relief works, which was posted on social media by the Friends of the Irish Environment group has been taken down after it was criticised for appearing insensitive.

The Cork-based environmental group secured the High Court injunction that has forced the stoppage of Roscommon County Council's 2.9km flood relief pipeline which was under construction between Lough Funshinagh and Lough Ree.

This morning, on the Friends of the Irish Environment Facebook page, a cartoon was posted which depicted the construction of a pipeline.

A man is shown saying, "As your advisor, I advise you to conduct some kind of environmental assessment before proceeding."

A besuited man on a digger is shown dismissing this advice by replying, "Stand aside hippy!"

The cartoon prompted a strongly negative response from several people in South Roscommon, with local councillor Laurence Fallon describing it as "outrageous".

A post by the Rahara Centenary group said it felt the cartoon was insensitive.

"Please stop this demonstration of insensitivity and stop trying to provoke a reaction from locals," wrote the Rahara group.

"People's homes are at risk, people's mental and physical health are at risk, wildfowl are at risk, plant life is at risk, all our flora and fauna is at risk.

"We take this very seriously. Please show compassion and sensitivity."

The cartoon has since been removed from the Friends of the Irish Environment Facebook page.

The Westmeath Independent contacted the group to request a comment, but at the time of writing we have not received a response.