Ahern promises support for victims

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday promised to support the victims of the north Mayo landslide when he visited the site in Pollathomas…

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday promised to support the victims of the north Mayo landslide when he visited the site in Pollathomas on a helicopter one month after the event.

After holding a private meeting with local committee members, the Taoiseach revealed that three issues had arisen. He said the infrastructural development, which Mayo Council Council is taking care of, was going well.

"The second issue is the rehabilitation of safety in the area. The report on that is due from the Department this week.

"Then there is the OPW and the Red Cross effort, which is up and running and going well. Obviously, our priority is to provide humanitarian aid to the eight families who are still suffering a lot."

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The Taoiseach said he was guided to the top of Dooncarton mountain, where he had a view of the devastation that most people had not seen.

"What happened there is extraordinary in that they got the equivalent of six months of rain in 1½ hours, and it is this that spurred the landslide. Now, we just have to try to get it right again."

Following the visit, the Taoiseach flew to Castlebar, where he officially opened the new Lynch Breaffy House Hotel and Life Bar, before travelling to Ballinrobe for a local Comhairle Ceantair.