First inter-agency meeting over Leitrim mudslide takes place

Acres of farmland were damaged when after being covered by the sludge of peat, and a number of roads were blocked for a period by the huge and displacement.

The first meeting of inter-agency working group, led by the Heritage Department, set up to oversee the response to the Shass Mountain landslide at Drumkeeran, met earlier today (Monday, July 20).

Prompted to action by the devestation caused by the deluge of rain that caused tonnes of peat to slide down Shass Mountain above the Dawn of Hope Bridge, the meeting was chaired by Malcolm Noonan, Minister for Heritage at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The meeting was attended by the Cllr Mary Bohan and senior officials from Leitrim County Council, as well as representation from the Department of Agriculture, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Department of Transport and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management also attended.

Local Public Representatives including Deputies Marian Harkin, Frank Feighan, Michael Fitzmaurice, Mark Mac Sharry and Martin Kenny were also present.

Acres of farmland were damaged when after being covered by the sludge of peat, and a number of roads were blocked for a period by the huge land displacement.

Minister Noonan and Officials viewed the landslide first-hand from the Dawn of Hope Bridge and from further up at source on Shass Mountain.

The meeting was updated on the present situation and all agencies present stated their commitment to finding a multi-agency response to address the emergency situation, including the local farmer and community needs.

They further commited to investigating solutions to the longer term stablisation challenges “now evident” in the area.

After the meeting, Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan expressed shock at the level of damage caused.

He commended the local farmers and the wider community for their response in the face of this disaster and also commended the local authority officials for their reaction to date.

He said there was much work to be done on the issue and the committee would meet again in the very near future.

Meanwhile, it was pointed out that affected farmers should make contact direct with the Department of Agriculture.

Any follow up queries, should also be made by contacting Leitrim County Council customerservices@leitrimcoco.ie.