Roscommon IFA Chairman Jim O’Connor said it’s deeply concerning that works on an emergency overflow pipe currently being installed in Lough Funshinagh could be delayed.
“Local farmers contacted IFA on this issue over the last number of years. However, the situation worsened radically in the last 12 months when water levels surpassed those in living memory. Many of the 44 farmers with land adjacent to the Lough had their property threatened and farm payments cut due to rising water levels,” he said.
“It was a huge relief when these works were announced in May. The news today will be hugely worrying for residents and farmers, whose homes and livelihoods will be devastated if this remedial work does not continue.”
“IFA has been in contact with Roscommon County Council on this issue today. We understand that the Council is hopeful that it can be resolved before the courts at the end of the month. We made our views clear that if this emergency work is not completed before this winter, it will pose a massive threat to human and animal life and has the potential to be economically devastating for farmers and householders,” he said.