Saturated-soil-in-County-Louth Flood-hit Louth farmers receive payments — €249,000 has been issued to 68 County Louth farmers.

Farmers throughout the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth who were badly impacted by a severe flooding in October 2023 have received payment supports from the Government.

A support scheme was launched in July 2024, nine months after heavy rains during Storm Ciarán led to unprecedented flooding in the villages of Omeath, Ravensdale and Carlingford on October 31st 2023.

The flooding caused extensive damage to agricultural lands, fencing and gateways.

Stored fodder and fertiliser were also lost to the rising floodwaters.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, this week confirmed €249,000 has been issued to 68 farmers.

The allocated funds will be used by farmers by farmers to cover the costs related to the restoration of agricultural land, loss or damage to fodder and fertiliser, and the repair of or replacement to damaged fencing, gateways, farm roadways and laneways.

According to Minister Hayden, “These payments reflect a commitment made to impacted farmers in the Cooley Peninsula under the previous government.”

“I’m happy that I’m in a position to be able to finalise payments, which will allow farmers to repair damage and replace lost fodder,” he added.

There were eleven named storms during 2023, including Storms Agnes, Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus and Gerrit.

There have been just 5 named storms in the 2024-2025 storm season to date, including Storms Darragh and Éowyn which produced record breaking winds and extensive damage to utilities and property across Ireland.