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Floodgates Needed in Little Bray |
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Tuesday, 16 December 2008 |
Noting the Dargle River and Little Bray suffers a disastrous flood every 25 years or so, Cllr. John Brady has called for flood gates to be provided to households in the area as an interim measure. The gates are small devices that maintain a water-tight seal around doorways for flood waters up to a metre high.
"Hurricane Charlie hit in 1986, and we had a very close call this summer with high water. Time isn't on our side," Brady said.
The Sinn Féin councillor has asked the town council to investigate the possibility of getting the gates. The council agreed and has written to both the OPW and the Department of the Environment to ask about funding.
"I know larger scale flood works have been planned. But if we can get these smaller devices to households in the area, we can keep them dry in emergencies. It would just be a short term measure. During last summer's scare, we had town workers distributing sandbags. While I appreciate the town's efforts, sandbags are not easily handled by the elderly or disabled," Brady said.
"You don't really appreciate the damage water can do to a house until you see it. Little Bray has been hit more than most over the past years but other areas of the town got a dose this past summer when drains stopped working in estates all around the Boghall and Vevay roads this summer," Brady said.
"If money is not forthcoming from the central government, I will be asking the council to put some money aside for these gates when we draw up our annual budget in the New Year," Brady concluded.
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Athletic Heroes Welcomed Back to Wicklow |
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Tuesday, 16 December 2008 |
A civic reception has been held for "three fabulous people" for their efforts in this year's Olympics and Paralympics.
"I am delighted that three local people were able to do so much and get so far. They are truly a credit to the community," said Cllr. John Brady of Sinn Féin, who proposed the initial motion to hold the reception for the athletes.
Padraig Moran, who was ranked number 10 in the world before the games, was on the boccia team. He narrowly missed out on a medal when he was pipped in to fourth place in the Paralympics. Boccia is a ball tossing game where points are awarded for accuracy.
Gary Messit was on the Paralympics soccer team. He is one of the country's best players and was nominated for an Eircom/FAI Player of the Year award in 2006.
Zuar Antia is a native of Georgia but has lived in Bray for many years. "He is one of Irish boxing's prime movers and shakers, and is responsible for much of our success. Obviously he had other things on his mind while he was in Beijing since that was also when fighting broke out between Russia and Georgia. He was quite worried since his wife was back on a visit at the time but he managed his responsibilities well," Brady said.
"They all did Wicklow and Ireland proud. They make an enormous contribution to civic and sporting life in the local area. They are truly an inspiration to youngsters with an interest in sport. May they long continue with their success," Brady concluded.
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