UPDATE: Streets in Tullamore set to reopen to traffic following clean-up operation

Two streets near Tullamore town centre are to reopen to traffic following a major clean-up operation today.

Offaly County Council closed off sections of Callary St and Convent View this morning following heavy flooding caused by torrential rain last night.

It appears flood waters gathered in the area as three new gullies installed earlier this year were blocked with leaves and baby wipes which came up through manholes during rain last night.

"A sea of shit" is flowing down Callary St and Convent View observed a visibly shocked Cllr Shane Murray when he visited the site and spoke with residents earlier today.

His veteran Fianna Fail colleague, Cllr Declan Harvey, who was also at the scene, said the "time for surveys was over and action was now needed urgently."

In scenes which you would expect to find in Calcutta rather than a developed western country, brown, yellow coloured water flowed down the streets and onto the Fiona Pender Way, a favourite on Sunday morning with walkers and cyclists.

"The floodwater is laden with toilet rolls, sanitary items and turds," said Cllr Murray.

Local resident, Kevin Murtagh said the flooding is the worst he has seen since interim works were carried out by Irish Water earlier this year.

Other residents said the flooding is the worst they ever witnessed and floodwaters had come into the homes well down Convent View.

Irish Water have a major plan in the pipeline to tackle the issue but it is understood work will not commence until next year at the earliest.

Cllr Murray said work should immediately stop on a pipeline through Offaly to bring water to Dublin until the issue at Callary St and Convent View is solved.

Cllr Harvey said the flooding is a major environmental hazard as the sewage laden waters are flowing into the Grand Canal and in turn into the Tullamore river.

Both councillors contacted Offaly County Council's Area Engineer Joe Dooley and a decision to close the road was made just before 11am.

The closure had an impact on traffic as the senior hurling final between Shinrone and Kilcormac/ Killoughey took place in O'Connor Park this afternoon.

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