Opponents of a proposed dam in Bantry, West Cork have warned of a "potential catastrophe" if the schemes allowed to go ahead and are appealing to the EU Commission to intervene on their behalf.

David Bollins of the Meelagh Valley Residents Association told the Cork Independent that no flood risk assessment has been carried out by Cork County Council over the risks posed by damming Drombrow Lake in the Meelagh Valley.

Mr Bollins claimed that an overflow of the proposed new dam would prove "a catastrophe" for Bantry and said that local people were very worried about the implications.

The plan to develop the new dam has been refereed to the High Court from the District Court and local campaigners say they will take the case all the way to the European Court if necessary. Mr Bollins also alleges that the water in Drombrow Lake is not fit to drink due to agricultural pollution despite Environment Minister John Gormley's approval for its use.

Mr Bollins rejected allegations that some of those opposing the scheme were doing so for their own financial interests.

"I live below where this dam will be located," he said. "That's my only interest and is also of great concern to many other people. It has nothing to do with land prices. The people of Bantry need to know what is happening here. How can you build a dam above a town without assessing the risk of flooding?"

Cork County Council will not comment on the controversy until the appeals process has been completed.

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