Toppled trees in Portlaoise river prompt flood fears
The Triogue Linear Park in Portlaoise. File image
TWO trees that toppled into the River Triogue in Portlaoise blocked the flow of water, causing serious flooding fears for neighbouring residents.
A councillor was contacted by a passerby, after the trees fell into the river at the rear of the Linear Park.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley raised the issue at a council meeting, as she called for removal of the trees and fallen branches as soon as possible.
“There is concern that, with heavy rain, debris will slow down the flow of water. There are houses there, so there is concern about flooding,” she told the December meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District (MD).
She added: “With the amount of rain we are getting, it’s important that those houses are not flooded.”
The Independent councillor said she was contacted by a man who regularly takes morning walks through the Linear Park, after the trees came down some weeks before the MD meeting on 15 December.
The proposal for tree clearance was supported by Cllr Tommy Mulligan, who said the blockage was having an impact on the flow of water through the park.
In a written response, a council official said: ‘Portlaoise MD will examine the location and make arrangements to remove any branches/trees from the Triogue river, in the vicinity of the Triogue Linear Park.’
