Met Éireann head of forecasting Ger Fleming has defended its predictions ahead of the deluge which led to extensive flooding in Co Cork.
The ESB was forced to increase the discharge rate from Inniscarra when it claimed the forecast rain was twice as high as was predicted. The release of a huge volume of water swamped an extensive section of the western side of Cork city.
The ESB has been criticised for its decision and a number of politicians have called for an independent inquiry into the decision to release such volumes.
But Mr Fleming told RTÉs Morning Ireland programme that the 90mm which the ESB claimed had fallen had done so further upstream in Cork and Kerry. “We need to compare like with like here. We were guiding 50-55mm of rain for that day, consistently through the week. In fact our 51.2mm at Cork airport would bear that out,” he said.
– RONAN McGREEVY