'Life goes on' in Kingscourt despite mine collapse

The “unique and complex set of circumstances” that caused the disused mine collapse bringing Magheracloone to national attention is now a week old.
The people of Kingscourt are getting on with things and, for the vast majority of residents, the only inconvenience is the closure of the R179. Most people on the streets of the east Cavan town were happy to share their opinion with reporter Thomas Lyons when he visited yesterday, though not all wanted to give their names or have their picture taken.
In the main people are happy with the way the event has been managed. One person, who did not want to be named, said that there is a concern among locals about the long-term implications of the  Drumgossat and Magheracloone mine collapse.
They said: “They are looking to see if the problem will affect the houses. They believe at the minute that it will only affect the area around the sink holes, but they want to be certain about it. They want to make certain that there are no dangers there.”

Leo identified those most affected by the sealing off of the R179. “The business in that area are hit and the residents close to the pitch. I would say Justin’s [O’Rourke] cash register would be down on normal. There are children who have to walk to their school as well,” he says of the matter.

With the passing of the first weekend since the appearance of the sinkhole Shaoonagh Smith felt the road closure acutely: “We went out in Carrick on Saturday and the struggle we had to get home, it took ages. Usually if there were a group of five of us going over it would be a fiver apiece, but on Saturday night it was €15,” she said of her weekend experience.

* For an exclusive interview with Gyproc's head of operations, Pat O'Connor, following the mine collapse, see tomorrow's Anglo-Celt print edition.