Chris Mahon and Sheila Mahon settle flood damage case against Laois council

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Chris Mahon and his wife, Sheila, settled their High Court action against Laois County Council over flood damage to their home on 8 February 2017. The proceedings concerned flooding at their home in Clonaheen, Mountmellick, Co Laois, in August 2008 and November 2014.

The couple claimed the council was negligent in how it allowed works to be carried out on a culvert underneath the road beside their home, and that the works caused the flooding. The council denied the claims, saying intense rainfall caused the flooding and works done to the couple’s property contributed to it.

Following talks, John Hayden, for the couple, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott the proceedings had been compromised and could be struck out. He said the council had agreed to carry out flood-relief works near the Mahons’ home within 12 weeks. Michael Counihan SC, for the council, said the alleviation works would be carried out on a “voluntary” basis. No other settlement details were given.