President McAleese to meet flood-crisis personnel in Ennis

THE role of emergency services and volunteers who helped evacuate people from their homes throughout Clare during the flooding crisis last month will be officially recognised by President Mary McAleese when she visits Ennis on Tuesday. President McAleese contacted the county manager, Tom Coughlan, to express her support for the great community and co-operative approach adopted by voluntary, statutory and local residents who responded to the havoc created by a combination of unprecedented rainfall, high tides and westerly winds.
The president is scheduled to make an official visit to Áras Contae an Chláir at 12.30pm on Tuesday to meet people involved in the emergency response to the flooding, those affected by flooding and local authority staff and volunteers who helped out in any way during the crisis. It is expected that the visit will last about 45 minutes.
Director of service, Ger Dollard said that the council was pleased that the efforts of its staff and numerous other people throughout the county were being acknowledged by the highest office in the land.
Mr Dollard said the president had a great knowledge and interest in Ennis and Clare and was aware of the work, which was carried out in the county to minimise the flood damage.
Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald praised the president for taking the time to visit Clare to show her appreciation for the work carried out crisis in Clare.