BUSINESSES suffering as a result of a foul smell in Askeaton, resulting from a lack of ventilation in the sewerage system, should not have to pay rates until the matter is resolved, according to a local councillor. A meeting of Limerick County Council was told that fumes from waste in Askeaton was backing up into homes and businesses as air vents have been removed in anticipation of a new sewerage system for the town.
“How can we charge people rates who are forced to leave their property due to the terrible smell of sewerage?”, Cllr Kevin Sheahan put to the meeting.
He told the Limerick Post that when a new sewerage system was sanctioned, the three air vents in the town, which disperse the odour, were removed.
“We were told the funding was there for a new scheme and I would have bet my house that we would be getting it; Now I’d bet my house that it won’t be.
“I have been getting complaints galore about the smell which is lingering in the town.
“What happening now is that the system can’t handle the amount of sewerage being produced, so there is raw sewerage floating in the River Deel.
“Meanwhile, people are being asked to pay rates and household charges while coping with this smell.
“I know at least one business that had to close due to it; It’s not healthy and not acceptable”.
Cllr Sheahan asked that the county council treat the situation with the same urgency that was given to the recent spillage in the River Deel.
“As we no longer have a guarantee from the department that we will get a new system air vents should be put back in.
“It is backwards we are going instead of forwards”.
