REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE TO THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FLOODING AND THOSE WHO ASSISTED
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE TO THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FLOODING AND THOSE WHO ASSISTED THEM IN CARRICK-ON-SHANNON
I have been following the dreadful consequences of the recent flooding in so many parts of our country and have been saddened to see so many people face into Christmas with their homes, farms and businesses damaged or even destroyed by water. It has been a time of real trial but in the many conversations I have had throughout the period with victims, volunteers and representatives of State Agencies dealing with the problems, it has been evident that the effort being made to cope has been nothing short of heroic. Here in Carrick-on -Shannon the evidence of just how testing a time it has been is still more than evident. Today I want to officially thank all those who have worked so hard to deal with this unprecedented crisis here in this area. In the coming weeks I will be visiting other affected areas to do the same thing - at a time when such a visit will not disrupt the ongoing efforts.
It has been an exhausting and upsetting time for so many and their trials are far from over I know, but in this moment of some small respite I want to offer my support for and recognition of the personal devastation experienced by all those who have had homes destroyed, homes marooned, farms flooded, roads blocked, schools closed, businesses destroyed, water contaminated and I believe that in this area even the ‘Doctor on Call’ service was affected.
Through all the misery there has been the light of hope that has come from the response of the communities. The spirit of meitheal has been needed and it came out rapidly and spontaneously and generously.
And I want to thank all those who could have stayed on the dry ground, but instead they recognised that neighbours and friends were in trouble and sprung into action in so many different ways. To the neighbours, friends, local council and town services, Army, Gardaí, Fire Services, Ambulance Crews, Civil Defence, local business people, IFA, St. Vincent de Paul, Irish Red Cross, GAA and all the others who have responded in a way that makes us all feel proud; my sincere and deepest thanks.
After the floods ease the work of clean up and repairing will begin. That will take time and money and strength that people may feel they do not have. So I ask people everywhere to offer all the help and support they can to get life back to normal as quickly as possible.There is a great and proven resilience in the Irish and we have a real capacity to work together to overcome trials. This has been and remains a dreadful trial but working together we can ensure that this too will pass.
My sincere thanks to all of you here to-day for your Trojan work and for your generosity, spirit and resilience. I hope by the time I come to spend Christmas here that some semblance of normal life will have returned for those who have borne the brunt of these past difficult days.