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Clean-up operation under way after flooding in Co Donegal

Flooding outside McGlynn's restaurant in Castlefinn (Pics courtesy: Seamus McGlynn)
Flooding outside McGlynn's restaurant in Castlefinn (Pics courtesy: Seamus McGlynn)

A clean-up operation is under way after torrential rain caused flooding in a number of areas in Co Donegal overnight.

The issue was most pronounced in the east of the county.

Donegal County Council said this morning that floodwaters are receding, as crews assess the impact in places including Raphoe, Killygordon, Convoy and Castlefinn.

A bridge at Tullyvinny remains closed, pending an assessment by engineers later today.

Several units of the fire brigade were deployed to provide pumping appliances, alongside council road staff, to alleviate the issues caused by the torrential rain late yesterday.

There are no reports of any people being trapped in their homes or of any injuries as a result of the flooding.

Fire service personnel have returned to their stations but local authority road crews are continuing to survey the situation.

A Status Yellow rain warning for the county elapsed at 11am this morning.

Flooding in Castlefinn, Co Donegal (Pics and video courtesy: Seamus McGlynn)

Meanwhile, locals in east Donegal fear that rain forecast for the rest of the weekend will cause further disruptions.

Independent councillor Frank McBrearty Jnr, who lives just outside Raphoe, said that a bridge collapsed beside his house overnight, and he made a call to the emergency services for assistance.

"It's still raining today, and we’re all very concerned about the forecast of more heavy rain.

"Last night, local shops, houses and other premises were flooded and there was raw sewage running through the town. It was like a tsunami. My advice to people now would be not to touch manholes or to go near rivers as it’s too dangerous. There is a clean up response happening, and that needs to be left to emergency service professionals," he said.

Seamus McGlynn of McGlynn's restaurant in Castlefinn said that after the hard work of local volunteers and emergency services, it has reopened today.

He said that due to ongoing issues of flooding, there is "a constant fear about losing our business".

"We are indebted to to the amazing work of local farmers that saved homes and businesses from flooding overnight".

Additional reporting: Cathy Lee