A Roscommon County Councillor has urged anyone with concerns over the restart of flood mitigation works at Lough Funshinagh, to engage with locals.
The local authority has announced a scaled-back scheme of works at the South Roscommon lough, following a High Court case halting them last month.
Environmental group Friends of the Irish Environment who launched the legal action have described flood works at the lake as
"kicking the can down someone else's road".
Under new plans, Roscommon County Council will seek to drain 2 million cubic metres of water from the turlough to try to stave off
a rise in floodwaters over the Christmas period.
Local Councillor Laurence Fallon says there is a palpable sense of panic in the areas surrounding the lake as winter approaches.
He says any delay or stoppage of the works will see people forced out of their homes.
