Offaly County Council called on to block national pipeline until flooding issue resolved

A CALL on Offaly County Council to block Uisce Eireann's plan to pipe water through the county, from Lough Derg to Dublin, until it carries out work to solve a major flooding and environmental issue in Tullamore has been made.

Cllr Shane Murray made the call at Monday's council meeting following the closure of sections of Callary St and Convent View in the town on Sunday morning due to flooding, after torrential overnight rain.

Raw sewage, containing toilet rolls and sanitary products, flowed down the streets with some residents claiming it was the worst instance of flooding they witnessed in over 30 years.

The mix also flowed down a section of Fiona's Way and into the Grand Canal, and from there into the Tullamore river.

Interim works designed to relieve the issue were carried out earlier this year but it will not be solved until major investment is put in place by Uisce Eireann.

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The flooding forced Offaly County Council to temporarily close the thoroughfares following the intervention of two local public representatives, veteran councillor Declan Harvey and his colleague, Cllr Murray.

The two councillors witnessed at first hand water, mixed with sewage, spewing from manholes on the streets, following torrential rain on Sunday night last.

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 the previous night.

"A sea of sewage" is flowing down Callary St and Convent View observed a visibly shocked Cllr Murray when speaking with residents at the scene on Sunday morning.

Cllr 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 mornings with walkers and cyclists.

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

Local resident, Kevin Murtagh said the flooding was the worst he has seen since interim works were carried out by Uisce Eireann earlier this year.

Other residents said the flooding was the worst they ever witnessed and floodwaters had even come into the homes at Convent View.

Uisce Eireann 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.

In a statement issued on Monday, Uisce Eireann said it "apologises for any inconvenience caused and regrets the impact of this incident on the local community."

"A contractor was deployed to the area as soon as possible on Sunday to manage the issue and disinfect the area, including impacted properties."

The statement continued: "Uisce Éireann commenced site investigation works in August as part of a significant wastewater network upgrade in Tullamore town to resolve flooding issues and support future growth and development in the area.

"These investigations will inform and support the development of detailed designs for the planned wastewater infrastructure upgrade in the area, where over 2.8km of wastewater network is due to be upgraded.

"We understand that areas of this wastewater network are challenged, particularly in the Convent View area, and we are committed to providing solutions to this issue.

"Once the design phase is complete, Uisce Éireann will progress the necessary statutory, regulatory, and budgetary approvals required to deliver the new infrastructure.

"Uisce Éireann has endeavoured to minimise impact in the town throughout these works.

"The site investigation works are progressing; intrusive site investigation works are now complete and the remaining non-intrusive site investigation works will conclude in the coming weeks.

"Uisce Éireann remains committed to delivering infrastructure that meets the needs of growing communities while protecting the environment and ensuring long-term resilience."

On the question of a timeline they added: "Uisce Éireann will progress the necessary statutory, regulatory, and budgetary approvals to deliver the new infrastructure.

"The project timeline will be updated as it moves through these approval processes, and the local community will be kept informed as progress is made."

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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. He made a formal call for such action at Monday's monthly meeting of Offaly County Council and received support from other members,

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

On Sunday 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 county senior hurling final between Shinrone and Kilcormac/ Killoughey took place in nearby O'Connor Park that afternoon.

Meanwhile, local Dail Deputy, Tony McCormack described the flooding as “completely unacceptable” and a “serious public health hazard.”

The Fianna Fáil TD said he has written to Offaly County Council, Uisce Éireann, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, urging that the planned drainage and flood prevention works for the area be brought forward immediately.

Speaking to the Tribune on Tuesday afternoon, he said Uisce Eireann planned to carry out works in late 2026 or early 2027 which he deemed unacceptable.

Deputy McCormack said this timeline must now be revisited. “Given the scale of what we saw this weekend, it’s clear that these works cannot wait. The safety, health, and wellbeing of residents must come first.”

“This situation cannot be allowed to continue,” Deputy McCormack said. “Residents in this area have endured repeated flooding incidents, but what happened at the weekend went far beyond inconvenience. Sewage-laden water flowing through residential streets and into the Grand Canal is a major environmental and health concern, and it poses a real risk to homes and property.”

“The time for surveys and delays is over. The community needs action now. I am calling on all responsible bodies to prioritise these works and deliver a long-term solution,” he said.