Flood hit areas braced for more rain

Home and landowners across Limerick are battling to contain flooding as the County today braces itself for more downpours.

There are fears of major traffic disruption amid predictions of more rain.

Rivers burst their banks and dozens of roads closed across the County over the past few days as Shannon Airport continued to monitor record breaking rainfall totals for the time of year.

Some parts of Limerick, mostly in the west of the county, saw up to three-quarters of the normal August rainfall in a single day. A spokeswoman for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the PA Group, confirmed another area of rain was moving into the county today.

Warning for Limerick Pedestrians as Survey is Revealed

Pedestrians in Limerick have been urged to show greater discipline and patience at road crossings in the city.

The warning has been issued by Limerick City Council`s Road Safety Officer who says twenty per cent of all fatalities on Irish roads involve pedestrians. Rory Mc Dermott says Limerick motorists have been showing greater awareness towards the safety of people out walking.

He told Limerick's Live 95FM that research carried out by the city council has highlighted some dangerous attitudes among Limerick`s pedestrians.

Untimely Death Of Former Mayor’s Son

The Limerick Leader newspaper reports that the family of former Limerick mayor Michael Hourigan are grieving this Monday following the tragic death of the councillor's 21-year-old son Patrick at the weekend.

Mr Hourigan, who suffered from epilepsy, was discovered unconscious near his home on the North Circular Road on Friday evening.

He is understood to have gone for a walk on his own before collapsing on the footpath shortly after leaving his house. The young man is believed to have suffered a seizure.

Climbing Limerick Hero Is Remembered In Native Limerick

Half a dozen white doves were releases into the dark County Limerick sky yesterday as a tribute to the "free spirit" of mountain climber Ger McDonnell, who died after his historic climb to the summit of the K2 mountain earlier this month.

The 37-year-old, the first Irish person to climb to the world's second highest mountain in the Himalayas, perished with 10 other climbers after an avalanche during their descent from the summit on August 2nd.

Today’s Irish Times reports that McDonnell, described yesterday as a "humble hero", had stopped to help three climbers who were in difficulty when he was hit by the icefall. More than 2,000 mourners converged on his native Co Limerick village of Kilcornan yesterday for a memorial Mass and celebration of his life. Mourners were led yesterday by Gerard's widowed mother Gertie, brother JJ, sisters Martha, Stephanie and Denise, as well as his partner Annie Starkey.

17-Acre Public Park To Open This Week In Castletroy, County Limerick

Limerick County Council will officially open a major new public park and amenity area in Castletroy later this week.

The development of ‘Castletroy Park’ follows an 8-month long construction contract between Limerick County Council and contractor L&M Keating of Kilmihil, County Clare. The EUR2.2m public park and amenity area, which is one of the largest purpose built public park and amenity areas in County Limerick, was designed by local company Nicholas de Jong Associates, Urban Design.

The development features 1.2 km of pedestrian pathways, a fully equipped children's playground, skateboarding area, circular cycle route and central performance/exhibition area with covering structure. It also features an array of natural habitats, including a 4,300 sq. metre lake, wetlands, wildflower grass areas and woodlands The development, which is located opposite Castletroy College, is complemented by park furniture, ornamental planting areas, a public car park and main entrance feature. It will be open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours, and managed by Limerick County Council.

Cllr. John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, who will officially open the new public park and amenity area this Thursday at 12 noon, said, ‘These new facilities are a significant and welcome addition to Limerick’s outdoor recreational infrastructure’. He added, ‘The provision of this state of the art public park demonstrates Limerick County Council’s commitment to further improving the quality of life for local communities. The development will be of particular benefit to the growing population of Castletroy and surrounding areas’.

Mr. Gerry Behan, Deputy County Manager, said the provision of sporting and recreational facilities and services is one of the core functions of Local Government. ‘Castletroy continues to experience growth in terms of developments and population. Therefore, it is imperative that this is matched by the provision of important infrastructure such as recreational amenities. I expect that this accessible and convenient setting for relaxation and recreation will become a focal point for the people of the locality and beyond’, added Mr. Behan.

In the past year alone, Limerick County Council has made significant progress in meeting its obligations under the County Limerick Play Plan 2006-2010 and National Play Policy – Ready, Steady, Play! Play facilities have been provided at Kilmallock, Cappamore, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. Further playgrounds are planned for Askeaton, Rathkeale, Croom, Kilfinane, Castleconnell and Bruff.

Elsewhere, the Council and the Football Association of Ireland are currently in the process of providing all weather soccer and multiuse facilities at separate locations throughout County Limerick. The five separate Astroturf pitches for young people will be situated in Abbeyfeale, Patrickswell, Hospital, Rathkeale and Cappamore. Earlier this year, meanwhile, President of Ireland Mary McAleese officially opened the Askeaton Pool And Leisure Centre, which has been established as a lasting tribute to Askeaton’s proud and lengthy association with organised swimming and water sports.

According to Cllr. Patrick O’Donovan, Chair of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), ‘Castletroy Park represents yet another step forward for the Local Authority in its continuing efforts to further improve the number and standard of recreational facilities available to members of the public. Through interaction with local groups, who possess an in-depth understanding of the needs of their locality, my colleagues and I will continue to press for further developments of this nature throughout the county’.

Limerick County Council Lifts Unfit Water Notice Issued Following Heavy Rainfall

Limerick County Council, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, has today removed an unfit water notice on the Rockhill Water Supply Scheme in County Limerick.

The notice was put in place last evening following recent heavy rainfall, which resulted in elevated levels of nitrate being detected in the water supply. Extensive testing by the local authority's Environmental Laboratory staff has shown that these levels of nitrate have subsided and that the water being produced at the Rockhill Water Treatment Plant meets the drinking water standards.

According to Paul Crowe, Director of Services Transportation & Water Services, Limerick County Council, 'The introduction of an unfit notice was deemed a necessary precautionary measure to ensure that public health was not put at risk. Limerick County Council’s Environmental Laboratory staff will continue to monitor the water supply to ensure the continued quality of the water being produced at Rockhill. Limerick County Council would like to thank the public for their support.’

Drinking Water Notice Issued To Rockhill Public Water Supply Customers

Limerick County Council has this evening issued a public water notice to customers served by the Rockhill Public Water Supply.

The Sanitary Authority is advising members of the public that due to the presence of high nitrates, the water should not be used until further notice, except for flushing toilets and internal house plumbing.

The Authority is also asking the public to ensure that ice-cubes in fridges and freezers are discarded.

A Limerick County Council spokesperson this evening stated, ‘Rockhill is a small scheme serving approximately 340 persons and some 153 domestic and non-domestic connections. Limerick County Council’s Environment Laboratory are continuing to investigate.’

‘The Council wishes to thank the public for their support to date. A further update will be issued to the public and media in due course’, added the spokesperson.

The areas affected by the public water notice are Ballyteige Upper, Ballyfookeen, Howardstown North, Cappanafaraha, Ballywillin, Ballyclough Upper, Ballyinoran, Garryfine, Knockaunavoddig, Garrane, Ballynoe, Mounteagle and Lotteragh Upper.

Further information and advice is available from 061-496326 (9.30am–4.30pm Monday-Friday) or 061-419226 (after hours).

Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon launch

The 2008 Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon was launched at Limerick County Hall last evening. The annual event takes place in UL on Sunday 5 October 2008.
- Nora O'Connor and Anne Byrnes, CARI, Phelim Macken, County Limerick Sports Partnership, Maria Browne and Bridget Kelly, mid west Attention Deficit Disorder support group at the launch of the Limerick Leader, Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon at County Hall, Dooradoyle (DG) Picture by Dave Gaynor
- Mary Burke, Caring for Carers, Limerick, Una Anderson-Ryan, Parkinsons Association, Eileen Reilly, Alzheimer’s Society and Patricia Fitzmaurice, Parkinsons Association at the launch of the Limerick Leader, Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon at County Hall, Dooradoyle (DG) Picture by Dave Gaynor
- Alan English, editor of the Limerick Leader, Cllr John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Tom Foley, race director Limerick Athletic Club, the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan and Joe Nash, Limerick 95FM at the launch of the Limerick Leader, Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon at County Hall, Dooradoyle (DG) Picture by Dave Gaynor
- The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr John Gallahue and the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan get a lesson in marathon running from Cheryl-Ann Ryan, Corbally and Erin Murphy, Dooradoyle at the launch of the Limerick Leader, Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon at County Hall Dooradoyle
- Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan and Cllr John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council

Clare set to provide further social housing for Limerick Families

County Clare looks set to offer more social housing to Limerick Families as part of a proposed regional housing strategy.

Clare FM reveals that the Housing Minister has instructed local authorities in Limerick City and County as well as Clare to work together to cater for housing needs in the greater Limerick city area.

It means some social housing for Limerick City families will have to be provided in County Clare, and County Council representatives have met with Councillors in the Shannon, Killaloe and Scariff areas this week to discuss the proposal.

Bennis Is Sacked By Limerick County Board

Richie Bennis' two-year term as Limerick senior hurling manager is officially overafter the Patrickswell clubman was axed by the Limerick Co Board.

The news filtered through following a meeting of the Limerick Co Board last night, with officials confirming that they have decided to seek nominations for the position, Breakingnews.ie reports today.

Bennis, who memorably guided Limerick through to the All-Ireland final last year, became involved with the panel in the summer of 2006 when he was appointed caretaker manager after the resignation of Joe McKenna. A member of the last Limerick team to win an All-Ireland back in 1973, Bennis proved to be an inspirational figure during his first full season at the helm.

However, 2008 has been a year of lows and few highs for the Shannonsiders, with Bennis getting the brunt of the criticism. "I'd like to give it another go and stay on as manager. I've told the Co Board how I feel about the situation," he said recently.

"But if the Co Board decide that they don't want to keep me on, then I'll willingly walk away and let them find someone else."

Bennis' last match in charge was the deflating 3-19 to 0-18 qualifier defeat to Offaly at the Gaelic Grounds on July 12 - a result which confirmed Limerick's exit from the All-Ireland championship. They also suffered a heavy loss (4-12 to 1-16) to Clare in the Munster semi-final, after a league campaign that included three wins and two defeat.

Last month, Bennis also had to come out and deny comments he made to a local newspaper about some members of the Limerick panel allegedly going drinking together after training. He insisted he was misquoted but the bad publicity will have disappointed members of the Limerick Co Board. A special committee has already been put in place to oversee the selection process for Bennis' replacement.

HSE steps in to aid flooding victims

Following last week'sunprecedented flooding in Newcastle West and surrounding areas, the services of the Health Service Executive were called upon to respond very quickly to the difficult circumstances in which people found themselves.

The Limerick Post newspaper reports that emergency accommodation was provided for a number of elderly people at St Ita's Hospital and the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle. Bed and Breakfast was also used for those who needed accommodation and this was funded through the Community Welfare Service.

The Environmental Health Service called to food premises in the affected area to advise on disposal of damaged food, clean up, sanitising operations and pest control. Advice was also given on food storage due to power cuts. The Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) liaised with Nursing Homes, the Health Centre and the Hospital, and were actively involved in checking chlorine levels in the public water supply throughout the town on Friday, August 1. Communication was maintained with Limerick County Council over the weekend regarding the potential threat to the public water supply due to flooding at the Water treatment plant.

A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive Mid-West said that EHO's continue to take phone calls from members of the public in affected areas regarding the clean up and to offer advice on public health issues where required. Monitoring of the public water supply is on going, she said.

Eircom teams are engaged in West Limerick repairs

Hundreds of Eircom customers throughout West Limerick had their telephone service disrupted last evening as a result of the heavy rainfall in recent days, the company has confirmed.

Eircom said the worst affected areas include Newcastlewest and Askeaton.

“Eircom's storm response plan has been in operation since last Saturday with significant extra resourcing deployed to assist our repair teams,” a statement said.

Free festival for Limerick culture vultures

Museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals and other venues around Limerick will host hundreds of free events in the first national Culture Night next month.

Details are due to be unveiled about the one-evening festival taking place across Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork on September 19. It is the first time the event will be held outside of the capital since it was set up in 2006.

The Press Association reported today that Dr Olive Braiden, chair of the Arts Council, will announce the Culture Night 2008 programme in conjunction with the Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT).