Madam, - You recently published an interesting article by Éanna Brophy on the flooding of River Tolka and Fairview Park on December 8/9th, 1954 (An Irishman's Diary, December 6th).
My late father, E.J. Bourke, was city engineer at the time. He was informed by telephone in the early hours of the 9th and was collected by his driver, the late Henry Henshaw, at approximately 5 a.m. The car had a two-way radio-telephone as it was used for various emergencies.
After arriving at the scene at 5.30 and appraising the damage, he phoned the late Tom Roche at his home and it was agreed that all Roadstone lorries being loaded that day at 6 a.m. at the Hill of Allan in Co Kildare should be diverted to the scene.
He subsequently organised for Collen Brothers, who had wartime experience in the British Army, to erect a temporary Baily bridge.
He also approved the design parameters for the new permanent bridge which gave a much enlarged clearway for flood flows, anticipating the future catchment development which would occur through the 1960s to 1990s.
His design was queried in 1957 by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, which suggested he might be personally surcharged for over-design and over-expenditure.
He fought a long and worrying battle with no help from the Corporation and even less from the then Department of Local Government.
He was a very relieved engineer when the comptroller's office eventually decided - in 1958? - not to pursue him. A far cry from today! - Yours, etc.,
LIAM J BOURKE, B.E., Montpelier, O'Brien's Bridge, Co Limerick.