Funding request to clean rivers in Mayo

A WESTPORT councillor wants to see the local authority in Mayo cleaning rivers and streams.

Many have not been cleaned for up to 20 years, Councillor John O'Malley told the annual budget meeting of Mayo County Council.

The councillor said it was unfair to people living along these rivers, that their homes are threatened.

His request for money in the budget towards maintenance - just to make a start and do some every year - met with a positive response.

Among the amendments adopted to the proposed budget was the inclusion of €20,000 towards drainage.

He was supported by local colleague Councillor Christy Hyland who cited the Mayour river, which he said the council is in charge of, and which is causing 'serious problems' for people living there.

“We have to start somewhere,” he said.

The issue of vegetation in the Mall river in Westport was also raised at a local municipal district meeting this week.