The long-running crisis at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon has reached a significant turning point as An Bord Pleanála has granted planning approval for a temporary flood relief scheme.
The development, spearheaded by Roscommon County Council, involves pumping excess water from the turlough to the Cross River in Carrick townland, offering a much-needed reprieve to a community besieged by flooding for nearly a decade.
This interim measure, expected to be in place for up to 24 months, aims to stabilise water levels and protect the surrounding homes, farmland, and infrastructure. The decision has been widely welcomed by residents, public representatives, and advocacy groups after years of mounting frustration and damage caused by increasingly severe flooding.
Background: years of flooding and delays
Flooding at Lough Funshinagh has been a growing problem since 2016, with homes and farmland repeatedly submerged. A 2021 attempt by Roscommon County Council to install a flood-relief pipe was halted after Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) successfully challenged the project in court, citing non-compliance with EU environmental regulations.
Since then the crisis has deepened, with storms such as Storm Kathleen in 2024 leaving vast areas of land underwater and cutting off families and farms. The situation has also highlighted broader concerns about the balance between environmental protections and urgently needed public infrastructure.
Temporary solution
The newly-approved scheme will pump water out of the turlough in a controlled manner, helping to manage flooding risks while a permanent pipeline to the River Shannon remains under development.
Speaking about the decision, Senator Aisling Dolan called it “an immense relief for families who have endured years of hardship,” adding that the controlled pumping measures “will protect homes, livelihoods, and farmland, while also addressing the environmental significance of the lake”.
Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kieran O’Donnell, also welcomed the news, saying: “I know at first-hand what this decision will mean for the community. I, along with my OPW officials, will be engaging with Roscommon County Council to ensure delivery of the interim flood relief scheme as quickly as possible”.
The project, however, is still subject to environmental safeguards. Mark Keaveney of Roscommon County Council emphasised the council’s commitment to implementing the scheme “in accordance with the conditions of the decision” and highlighted ongoing work towards a permanent solution.
Environmental opposition
A notable aspect of the current plan has been the conditional support from FIE, a group that previously opposed flood-relief measures at Lough Funshinagh. FIE Director Tony Lowes acknowledged that this application addressed previous legal concerns, stating: “The basic issue with the previous efforts was the attempt to bypass European Environmental Directives – that appears to have been addressed by the new application”.
FIE has committed to closely monitoring the implementation phase to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, particularly concerning the Lough Funshinagh Special Area of Conservation.
Community pressures
While the approval is a significant step forward, local representatives have stressed the urgency of implementing the measures before winter flooding takes hold.
Independent councillor Laurence Fallon, a long-time advocate for action at Lough Funshinagh, warned that any delay could lead to further devastation: “Without immediate action to lower the water levels, we’re looking at even more widespread damage this winter”.
Brendan Golden, chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association Flooding Project Team, also highlighted the toll on farmers and residents. “This crisis has pushed people to breaking point,” he said, urging authorities to ensure the temporary measures are operational as soon as possible.
Looking ahead
In September, the temporary flood relief scheme was expected to be implemented within three weeks of final approval, according to Minister O’Donnell; however, it is largely accepted by local representatives that if a solution was implemented by April, it would be a significant achievement.
The community remains keenly aware that the longer-term solution – a permanent pipeline – is still years from completion. For now, the focus will be on executing the interim measures efficiently and ensuring that families and businesses can begin to rebuild their lives.
Taoiseach Simon Harris, who has visited the area and witnessed the impact of the flooding, praised the collaborative efforts behind the approval. “Today’s news is very welcome,” he said on Friday, January 10th, continuing: “We will continue to work with the OPW and Roscommon County Council to ensure these works are done quickly”.
Roscommon-based MEP Ciaran Mullooly has spoken publicly this week highlighting that while the temporary solution is welcome, sight must not be lost with respect to the long-term permanent solution: “The relevant authorities must keep the pressure on now to conclude the works”.
As Roscommon County Council begins the implementation phase, the people of Lough Funshinagh are cautiously optimistic. The hope is that this temporary solution will not only alleviate the immediate crisis but also pave the way for sustainable, long-term progress.
