€3m to repair roads in Co Carlow … no, make that €4m
A road at Ballinrush Hill in Myshall that was badly damaged by the recent rain and flooding
CARLOW Co Council chief executive Coilín O’Reilly has confirmed that up to 30 roads in Carlow will need to be repaired at a cost of €4 million following damage done by flooding in the aftermath of Storm Chandra.
Mr O’Reilly issued the update to councillors at the February meeting of the county council during discussions about the approval of the annual delivery plan for 2026.
The chief executive initially told councillors that “at this stage, we are looking at about 27 roads at a cost of about €2.5 to €3 million.” However, later on during the meeting, he notified the chamber that senior engineer Orla Barrett had just returned from an inspection and the estimated cost of repairs had risen to €4 million.
On the damage done to roads, Fianna Fáil councillor for Muinebheag Daniel Pender said “I am sure we are all getting it in the neck at the moment about the potholes” and he hoped that more funding would be allocated for the maintenance and improvement of roads in next year’s budget.
Independent councillor for Tullow, Charlie Murphy, also requested extra funding for road repairs. “The roads, especially in south Carlow, are after getting an awful battering; there are lots of potholes and a lot of water on them.
“It looks like we need money now, and lots of it,” cllr Murphy said, adding that the funding should be redirected to rural roads, which have suffered significant damage.
Labour councillor for Muinebheag Willie Quinn reiterated cllr Pender’s and cllr Murphy’s points about the roads and declared that south Carlow has “major problems” in relation to road infrastructure.
“The south Carlow area certainly has major problems. It is the third time in 16 years that we have been battered as regards to the roads infrastructure â 2010, 2015 and now 2026,” he said.
Cllr Quinn warned citizens not to expect repair works to be completed soon and said it would probably be April or May by the time any substantial work could get started, due to the saturated ground. He also stressed the need for a separate budget going forward to be put aside to deal with drainage and maintenance issues on roads.
“Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance is what is going to protect the roads,” he added.
Fianna Fáil councillor for Tullow, John Pender, made sure that the damage done to roads in the north of the county did not go unnoticed and brought the current situation in places like Clonmore, Myshall and Hacketstown to the attention of the council. Cllr Pender also queried whether there was any indication from central government about funding to repair roads damaged by rainfall and flooding.
“I have a list as long as your arm of people complaining about potholes,” cllr Pender stated, adding: “Is there any indication from the government about funding to repair these and, if so, when are you carrying out these repairs?”
In response to councillors’ questions, Mr O’Reilly said: “I think we can all accept that the level of rain we have had is not unprecedented; we have had heavy rain and flooding before, but it is certainly some of the most extreme that we have had in the last 40 years.”
He continued that the water levels recorded on the rivers Burrin, Slaney and Barrow were some of the highest since records began 40 years ago.
“That has done a huge level of damage. I spoke to the minister and he has asked us to submit what we have done, and there is a commitment and there is funding from the government for emergency work,” Mr O’Reilly added.
Additionally, senior executive engineer Lilly Slye and the council’s outdoor staff received praise from councillors and members of the executive for their work in dealing with the damage done by flooding over the past number of weeks.
“Thanks to Lilly and all the outdoor staff, who are often forgotten about and not mentioned, but they have done a massive amount of work,” said Mr O’Reilly, who also mentioned that the council put on a lunch for all the outdoor staff earlier that afternoon to say thanks for their recent efforts.
