Geological experts conduct investigation in Magheracloone

As the investigations continue into a cause of the land subsidence that has affecting Magheracloone GAA Club a team of specialist geological experts are on site.

Monaghan County Council officials and members of An Garda Siochana met with representative of Gyproc Ireland yesterday evening. Two crown holes of approximately eight metres wide have developed as a result of further settlement within this area.

Geologists and mining engineers have carried out assessments of the area. A statement from Gyproc said:”Our team of experts has conducted a thorough examination across the 2 sq km zone of the area above our underground mine at Drumgossatt.”

The assessment confirmed that the area of subsidence is confined to a radius of 120m. The examination shows that the area impacted has not increased in size since the initial discovery of the subsidence on Monday morning.

There are two ground holes at the edge of this area and these are part of the ongoing settlement process within the area of subsidence. Two roads within the 2 sq km zone have also been assessed and encouragingly initial results point towards no movement of these roads however further analysis will need to be conducted in the days ahead to confirm this initial assessment.

Five properties located at the perimeter of the 2 sq km zone are still being assessed to determine if there is any risk arising from the subsidence.

Gyproc continued by saying: “Our assessment also indicates that all areas outside of this 2 sq km zone are unaffected by the subsidence. This includes Drumgossatt National School which reopened this morning.

“We will continue to liaise with local residents in the area to keep them updated, and will work with the local authorities regarding a timeline for the opening of local roads. Our main priority remains the safety of local residents, our employees and ensuring no significant environmental impact.

“Our team of experts will continue to work diligently to investigate the issue and implement a solution as quickly as possible.”

Monaghan County council say that a preliminary report will detail the results from monitoring points and early measurement of changes in ground conditions. Monitoring of the public roads and properties within the exclusion zone will continue over the coming days.

The Council has engaged with the Exploration and Mining Division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Geological Survey of Ireland to advise and provide verification of results from this early stage of the investigation process. However, the area in the vicinity of the Clubhouse is in an extremely dangerous condition and the exclusion zone will remain in place for the next 48 hours.

The Carrickmacross/Kingscourt Road (R179) will remain closed from Drumgossatt Crossroads to O’Rourkes Filling Station at Drummond. In addition, the LP4900 to Drumgossatt will also remain closed to traffic. Traffic between Carrickmaross and Kingscourt is being diverted via Shercock.

An Garda Siochana and Monaghan County Council will continue to liaise with Gyproc and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment over the coming days.