Environmental group in fresh challenge to flood relief scheme

The High Court has granted Friends of the Irish Environment permission to pursue judicial review proceedings challenging Roscommon County Council's approval of a flood relief scheme. The council is constructing a three-kilometre pipeline to transfer water from Lough Funshinagh, a designated Special Area of Conservation near Athlone, to Lough Ree, to mitigate severe flooding affecting nearby residents. FIE contends…