Residents of Lough Funshinagh have expressed their anger and frustration at the complete shutdown of works to ease flooding issues in the area.
Roscommon Coutny Council says it deeply regrets dashing the expectations of locals after losing a court case over an environmental challenge to the laying of a pipeline.
Rahara residents Mary Beattie has been speaking today as locals in the area come to terms with the decision to stop the flood relief works on the flooded turlough.
On Wednesday environmental Protection group Friends of the Irish Environment has succeeded in its High Court action aimed at halting works on a flood relief
Earlier this month FIE launched proceedings aimed at quashing Roscommon Co Council's decision to allow works, including the construction of a 3km pipeline taking water from Lough Funshinagh to Lough Ree.
This afternoon, Roscommon County Council says it will move ahead with the required assessments to progress a solution to flooding at Lough Funshinagh.
The local authority claims that "it is disappointing that it is going to take a bit longer to deliver a solution to the flooding hardship that the local community has to continue to endure".
The Council is also questioning how EU laws can be used in Ireland when emergency intervention is required and in a statement issued this afternoon, say that they deeply regret "that the expectations of the local community have been dashed."
Independent TD for Roscommon Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice says roll back of the Lough Funshinagh Flood works is a sad day for the country.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show today, the Independent TD says there needs to be emergency legislation to bypass red tape:
Fred Logue represented Friends of the Irish environment in their case against Roscommon County Council in the High Court.
He believes that residents near the turlough are victims of the inefficiency of the local authority for not acting quickly enough to tackle rising waters in Lough Funshinagh:
