‘Ugly effect’ removed as flood defence pipe now concealed
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A controversial pipe installed along Athlone’s flood defence wall at The Strand has now been covered over after criticism from local residents and business owners who described it as an “eyesore” in one of the town’s most scenic areas.
The surface water outlet pipe, which stretches across the flood wall and discharges into the River Shannon, drew public attention earlier this month after the Flynn family of Flynn Funeral Directors raised concerns about both its appearance and its potential environmental impact.
Now, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has confirmed that works to conceal the structure have been carried out as part of an updated finish to the flood defence scheme.
Speaking on Monday, May 25, Minister Moran said the visible pipe installation was only temporary in appearance.
“In relation to there being a lot of talk about the pipe overflow into the channel, that work [was] not finished,” he said. “It is now built like a pillar around it, so it won’t be seen to the eye.”
The Minister explained that the outlet forms part of a key pumping station hidden beneath The Strand flood defences, designed to protect the area in the event of flooding or breaches along the River Shannon.
“It’s a very important piece of infrastructure for the Shannon, and it’s very important that we maintain that because, as you walk The Strand — particularly between Flynn’s Funeral Home and The Friary — there is a major pump station underground there,” he said. “People don’t see it, But if we had flooding or a breach, it works as a pump. It’s inside and it pumps the water out.”
He added that the finished structure would blend into the existing flood defence wall and would no longer have the “ugly effect” that had sparked criticism locally.
“That is now covered in, and it won’t have the ugly effect that it has had. That’s one thing we’ve been assured of,” he said.
Since the controversy emerged, the pipe has now been covered over using a scheme designed to match the existing flood defence wall, significantly reducing its visual impact.
The issue first arose publicly in early May when Niall Flynn of Flynn Funeral Directors said the family believed the installation was temporary until they were informed otherwise by representatives involved in the project.
“We thought he was winding us up,” Flynn said at the time, after being told the structure would remain in place permanently.
The Flynns argued that the exposed pipe detracted from one of Athlone’s best-known riverside views, particularly from Burgess Park looking towards the church and The Strand area. Concerns were also raised about the appearance of the planned boardwalk development nearby.
Minister Moran had acknowledged those concerns at the time, while stressing that the outlet pipe was a necessary component of the Athlone flood alleviation scheme, which includes eight similar pumping systems throughout the town.
The Athlone flood alleviation scheme, delivered by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Westmeath County Council, has involved an investment of more than €30 million in flood protection infrastructure for the town.