Residents close to Lough Funshinagh urge authorities to prioritise planning for extraction pipe

Residents in Ballagh in south Roscommon are urging Roscommon County Council and other agencies to prioritise the installation of a pipe from a Lough Funshinagh as an emergency.

The local authority has stated that it will begin the planning process for the measure to reduce flooding of the lake which has resulted in up to six homes being under threat this year.

However, officials say it may take up to two years for the preparatory and planning work to be complete.

The lake is at its highest level since 2016 and water levels will not decrease enough between now and then to prevent homes and farms from being destroyed.

Local resident and farmer Padraig Beattie says unless this is treated as an emergency, houses will be flooded next year.