Welcome for Uisce Éireann action after Tullamore flooding
Offaly TD Tony McCormack and Cllr Declan Harvey have welcomed a commitment from Uisce Éireann to step up maintenance of the drainage network in Convent View and surrounding areas of Tullamore, following what they described as “completely unacceptable” flooding over the weekend.
Heavy rainfall on Saturday night led to significant flooding on Callary Street and Convent View, with sewage-contaminated water spilling onto residential streets and into the Grand Canal. Both public representatives described the situation as a serious public health and environmental hazard and said that urgent action is now required.
Deputy McCormack said he has written to Offaly County Council, Uisce Éireann, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, calling for the long-promised drainage and flood prevention works in the area to be brought forward immediately.
“This situation cannot be allowed to continue,” Deputy McCormack said. “Residents have endured repeated flooding incidents, but what happened at the weekend went far beyond inconvenience. The presence of sewage-laden water in residential areas and flowing into the canal is completely unacceptable and poses real risks to health, homes, and the environment.”
Following the intervention, Uisce Éireann confirmed that major upgrade works — including the replacement and improvement of 2.8km of pipeline in Tullamore — are planned. While these large-scale works are due to commence next year, the utility has agreed to immediate interim measures to help reduce the risk of further flooding.
“Uisce Éireann has committed to regularly cleaning the drainage network in the Convent View area,” Deputy McCormack explained. “They have also promised to carry out cleaning before any forecasted storm events. They believe this will make a real difference, as blocked drains are the main cause of the current flooding issues.”
Cllr Declan Harvey, who has been campaigning for drainage improvements in the area for several years, said the latest commitments are welcome but not enough.
“This is something I’ve been working on for a long time, and it’s encouraging to see some progress,” Cllr Harvey said. “However, if Uisce Éireann can find emergency funding for other projects in Offaly and in other counties, then why can’t they find the money to deal with this now? The people of Tullamore deserve the same urgency and priority. We cannot wait another year for the full upgrade to begin.”
Both representatives praised the quick response of Offaly County Council crews, who carried out clean-up operations on Sunday morning, ensuring roads were reopened later that day.
“It’s a huge relief for residents to finally see progress,” they said in a joint statement. “We will continue to work together to ensure that these promised works are delivered without further delay. The safety, health, and wellbeing of the community must come first.”