The damaged road between Rathbarry and Clonakilty. Picture: Richard Mills

The crumbling road network across Cork is in such a desperate condition that a “state of emergency” should be called.
The plea for an emergency response from Government came from west Cork councillor John O’Sullivan after it was revealed that the bill for flood-damaged roads would run into millions of euro.
The Fine Gael councillor said if a similar crisis occurred on the roads of Dublin 4, an emergency fund would be made available immediately.
County engineer Noel O’Keeffe has confirmed that the cost of fixing roads would be “in the millions.”
He said council staff were already working on some of the worst-hit areas, while a list is being compiled of all of the roads affected.
Cllr O’Sullivan said: “I have no doubt that if this happened in Dublin 4 the situation would be looked at immediately. I demand the same for people living down here.”
Among the worst-affected areas are Clonakilty, Ballinascarthy and Skibbereen.
Cllr O’Sullivan said: “The roads are absolutely frightening. It is principally the smaller roads that have been affected, while much of the worst areas are concentrated on a line going from Rathbarry through Clonakilty and onto Ballinascarthy.”
He said an estimate of €500,000 was given to repair a one-mile stretch at Rathbarry, while the total needed could “rise to many multiples of that”.
The list of crumbling roads is to be sent to the Department of Transport.