Interim flood relief measures planned for Dundalk and Blackrock

Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has welcomed the commitment from Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) that they will work together to look at interim flood relief measures for Dundalk and Blackrock while the public waits for the main project, CFRAM, to be delivered in 2030.

Minister of State at the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran visited Blackrock on December 23 to hear from Louth County Council engineers and elected representatives about the impact that recent flooding has had in the village and in other areas of Blackrock.

Minister Moran had been invited to come to Dundalk by the Sinn Féin TD after Deputy Ó Murchú posed a series of questions to the minister in the Dáil recently.

In response to the Dundalk deputy, Minister Moran gave an outline in the Dáil of the progress of flood relief measures, known as CFRAM.

He said: “The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020.

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“The design options for this scheme are expected to be presented to the public in Q1 2026 and a preferred option presented in mid-2026. The planning application is expected to be submitted in Q4 2027.

“The Ramparts and Blackwater Rivers form part of the study area for the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme. Options to alleviate flooding along these watercourses will be identified as the scheme progresses and the scheme consultants are liaising with relevant stakeholders including Uisce Éireann in relation to wastewater”.

During his visit to Blackrock, Minister Moran heard from Deputy Ó Murchú and his colleague, Cllr. Sionainn McCann about the difficulties that had been experienced in Blackrock during the last storm event which saw parts of the main street flooded.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “I was happy that Minister Moran came to Blackrock just a couple of days before Christmas and heard from the council engineers about the difficulties there have been in the village, as well as at the Fair Green in Dundalk, the Loakers, George’s Quay.

“Council officials spoke about minor works carried out at Bellurgan, Balagan and at Drummullagh, Omeath, that was previously highlighted by Cllr. Antóin Watters.

“I spoke to the minister about the urgent need for interim solutions to flooding in these areas because CFRAM is a long way away yet and he agreed that the council and the OPW will work together to see what can be done in the interim to help mitigate flooding in these areas. Minister Moran acknowledged that Dundalk is very exposed when it comes to flooding.

"I also spoke to Brian McQuillan of McQuillan’s Pharmacy when the minister visited the shop who said that simple things such as having a proper protocol that would shut down Main Street to vehicular traffic when there’s a risk of flooding would help.

“Everyone involved in flood mitigation needs to work together to not only get CFRAM delivered within the timeframe, but to also be creative and imaginative in coming up with interim solutions that need to be funded by government”.