This article is from page 8 of the 2012-10-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
SECTIONS of the ceiling of one of Clare’s largest shopping centres fell in following heavy rain during the week. The incident occurred at Dunne Stores in Ennis on Tuesday when water poured onto the busy shop floor shortly before 1pm.
Sections of the ceiling have been removed for repairs. One eyewitness said, “It was like a waterfall. It was unreal the amount of water that fell.” It followed a series of exceptionally heavy showers that drowned the county capital. Parts of Parnell Street suffered flooding, with the water at one stage rising above the level of the footpath.
Local businessman Alfonso D’Auria said people in the area were shocked by the amount of rainfall. He said, “Now, in fairness to the (Ennis Town) council, they have done a bit of work on the drains. They cleared away a lot of the leaves, which made a huge difference. But the amount of rain that fell that day was incredible. I don’t know if it was just a freak thing but it looked bad for the street, the amount of water that was just sitting there. The amount of people using the footpath who got drowned wet there was just ridiculous.”
Mr D’Auria said the problem was compounded by rubbish being dumped in the area. He explained, “We have people dumping big black bags of rubbish in the lanes every week. Every week there is rubbish being dumped. I’ve had to put locks on my bin. There is only one bin on Parnell Street.”
Ennis Town Council has said that the tender process has started for phase two of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme. Phase one of the scheme is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.
Last week’s council meeting heard that residents in the Tulla Road and other areas along phase two of the scheme have encountered difficulties securing house insurance because their homes in a flood risk area. Town Engineer Eamon O’Dea encouraged people to contact the Council. He said the Council would request the Office of Public Works (OPW) to write to insurance companies. Mr O’Dea said that once complete, the scheme would alleviate flooding in the area.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) called for the OPW to provide a blanket certificate for residents in the area.