Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

County Kerry bore the brunt of Storm Desmond, with gusts up to 93 km/h recorded in Valentia Observatory. Up to 77 mm of rain were recorded in Tralee. These conditions were prevalent throughout the county. I pay tribute to Kerry County Council's emergency services, the fire services, the Civil Defence, all the road crew staff and the Irish Red Cross.

An elderly couple had to be evacuated from Foiladown in the parish of Glenflesk on the Flesk river, an area which has been subject to flooding down through the years. It is a blackspot. We were very fortunate to have the inland inshore rescue group from Killarney and the Kerry mountain rescue team come to the aid of an elderly couple who were in a devastating position. They were brought out safely and I thank everybody concerned for their assistance. A large amount of voluntary work took place. Hundreds of people carried out tremendous work over long hours.

I do not have to state the amount of damage that has been caused by fallen trees, and a vast amount of damage has been done to road structures. A bridge on a minor road near Ballydesmond on the Kerry side of the Cork border was swept away. The River Feale near Listowel is still rising. We cannot forget that rain is forecast for the coming week. Army crews went out with the HSE and helped the people in a nursing home on the Castlemaine road outside Tralee. People in Ballymullen, Caherwisheen, the Dingle road and Ballard in Tralee are in a precarious position. Given the circumstances, very good assistance was given.

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