PEOPLE who are still feeling the effects of flooding shouldn’t be at all reluctant to ask for assistance, according to President Mary McAleese, who visited Ennis just before Christmas.

She said the response to the crisis had been outstanding and expressed her admiration for all who worked on it.
“I want to say a very big thank you to all the people when faced with the very worst that nature could throw at them, did their very, very best. Their best for each other, the best for their community, the best to ensure that nobody would be injured or hurt and that people who were desperately overwhelmed would know that they were not alone and that there was a community that would care for them.”
The innate kindness of the public was seen in how they responded, she felt.
“This was a problem for all of us and the pain, suffering and loss being endured was something that people cared deeply about and wanted to be able to help assuage and heal in every way they could. In the moment of crisis, you relied on each other. As the old Irish expression says, “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”.
The emergency services had been very well prepared for a sudden crisis, she felt.
“The many agencies and State services had always been prepared for the worst. They were people who had a plan and a strategy for managing a crisis and they sprang into action. We say a very big thank you to each and every one of them because all around this county, people relied on them for information, for problems to do with roads, getting people safely away, rescuing them, giving them hope and giving them comfort. The flood was very frightening, very disorienting but in the middle of that, it was very important to know there were people who showed that we could cope. The response of those agencies to the crisis was outstanding; it was rapid, it was comprehensive.”
The flexibility and commitment of the public servants who dealt with the crisis was outstanding she said.
“There was nobody waving a job description during the flooding. Everybody was doing what had to be done, what needed to be done, with great willingness. I know staff from the agencies worked around the clock, they worked to the last breath of their body and fell into bed, if they got to bed at all, wearily.”
Ms McAleese said “a spontaneous outpouring of goodness” had helped communities come through the crisis, adding that people affected need to know there is still support there for them.
“They need to know there is still this ongoing psychological, emotional, physical and financial help available. One of the things that has been coming at me for the last couple of days is that everyone talks about the wonderful help they got and how much it meant to them.”
Anyone who feels they need more help shouldn’t be reluctant to come forward, the President added.
“People didn’t like to approach St Vincent De Paul because they’d never gone to them before, they’d always given to it. People didn’t like to approach Government agencies because they’d always been people who coped. Let me tell you in this moment the help is there and we hope it’s coming to you spontaneously. But if for any reason it’s not, be the bridge yourself and ask or get someone to ask on your behalf. In God’s name, don’t suffer in silence, you’ve suffered enough.”
She said one positive thing was that no one had died as a result of the flooding and she said she hoped the community spirit seen during the crisis would stay strong.
“We hope and trust that in 2010, the spirit of Meitheal will continue to lift people’s hearts and souls, give them peace of heart and mind and the energy to face the New Year with real hope and optimism that they can get through the mountain of work that lies ahead because there is help.”
Mayor of Ennis, Frankie Neylon thanked her for lending her support.
“Your presence here today is a thoughtful demonstration of your support and understanding of the difficulties encountered by households, families and businesses in Clare,” he commented.
Mayor of Clare, Tony Mulcahy also thanked her for visiting the county and said she had been supportive during the crisis.

President’s visit lifts spirits

PEOPLE who were forced to leave their homes by floods were thrilled to see Mary McAleese in Ennis last week and to hear her words of comfort.
At the time, Martina Whelan was still unable to return to her house at Shallee Drive but she said the President’s visit had given her a lift. “I’m pure delighted, she’s a great woman, I don’t know how to describe it. We’re going to enjoy our Christmas from today on.”
The President had reassured Martina’s daughter, Cliodhna, that Santa Claus would still be able to deliver and the youngster had no doubts that things would be okay.
“He will find us because he’s magic and he’s always watching you. Like it says in the song, he knows when you’re sleeping and he knows when you’re awake,” she said.
Martina said that there was a good spirit among people affected.
“I’d love to be at home but we have to make the best of what we have at the minute and at least there was no one hurt, as the President said. At least we’re all together and all of us who are flooded are like a big group.”
Debbie Daly attended with her four children, Eoghan, Killian, Aoibheann and Nessa. The family has been back in their home for some time.
“We went back after about eight days. It was upsetting at the time. The Civil Defence came in at nine o’clock and we just had about 10 minutes notice to get a few bits together. It was hard enough but life went on as normal.”
The Presidential visit gave an opportunity for the heroes of the crisis effort to be recognised. Just before meeting the Head of State, Brian Cullinane of the Civil Defence recapped on a very busy spell.
“We’d meet at seven in the morning and we wouldn’t finish until two or three o’clock some mornings. You’d have your few hours off and you’d be back at it again at seven.”
He took some holidays from his job to concentrate on the flood relief and said it had been very draining. “You’d be very tired, they were awful long days and it was tough going towards the end.”