Friends of the Irish Environment wins challenge to flood scheme

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

Friends of the Irish Environment resolved its High Court challenge to Roscommon County Council’s flood relief scheme on 23 March 2022, when the council consented to an order quashing its approval. The scheme proposed a pipeline from Lough Funshinagh, near Athlone, to Lough Ree.

The agreement also barred use of pipeline sections and associated manholes already built, unless the High Court later permitted their use. Those sections did not have to be removed, and remedial work was to be carried out on land already affected.

The council agreed to pay the group’s legal costs. The High Court challenge was struck out, and the hearing planned for May was vacated.