Almost 30 people from Kilkenny whose homes are frequently flooded by the River Nore staged a protest when the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, visited the city yesterday. The residents, from John Street, John's Quay and Green Street, gathered at the County Hall for what they described as a "wellies and brollies demonstration". This followed the Minister's refusal to meet them during his visit.
Mr Dempsey was in Kilkenny to meet officials and members of the county council and corporation and members of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ms Margery Brady, secretary of the residents' flood committee, said that they were staging the demonstration to highlight the need for funds for a wall along John's Quay, which would alleviate the flooding. She said that the Office of Public Works had put together a flood alleviation plan which would cost over £8 million.
"All we are asking for is £150,000 to build the small wall, which is the cost of one house. Surely this amount of money would be worth it if it were to save 25 houses in the area", she said.
One woman taking part in the protest said that her furniture was still stacked up six weeks after the last flood. "I'm afraid the water will come in again. We are putting our cups on a cardboard box. It's not good enough in this day and age."
The group spoke to Mr Dempsey as he approached the County Hall and put their case to him. He said that he would discuss the matter at his meeting with the county council and corporation and raise it with the Minister of State, Mr Martin Cullen.
Mrs Brady said that while she would have preferred the Minister to pledge some money for a wall, she hoped that the matter would be resolved by raising it with the local councillors and Mr Cullen.