A Cork business owner has said she is 'begging' for help for her community after devastating floods in Midleton.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Lollipop Kids owner Eleanor Dunlea said her whole shop has been gutted by the floodwaters.
The clean-up operation is continuing around the county this morning after Storm Babet dropped a month's worth of rain in 24 hours in parts of the southwest.
There was also more heavy overnight rain in Midleton last night.
An area flooded in front of SuperValu in Midleton, Co Cork on October 19th 2023. Image: Jamie O'Hara/NewstalkMs Dunlea said they're not out of the woods yet.
"We're actually probably in a forest now at this stage, it's not even the woods to be quite honest with you," she said.
"First of all I just want to, on behalf of myself and my family and the whole business community... just to thank everybody for the help.
"It was just totally unbelievable the help that came from young and old, it was just something else."
'The whole place is gutted'
Ms Dunlea said she doesn't see a future at the minute.
"It's gutted, the whole place is gutted; homes, businesses, the lot," she said.
"My shop is a shell at the moment, there's nothing in there. It's just back now to concrete walls.
"It's just total devastation for the town.
"I just don't see a future going forward for any businesses."
Clean up at Owennacurra Pharmacy in Midleton on October 19th, 2023. Image: Jamie O'Hara/NewstalkMs Dunlea said she's not looking for pity or sympathy, but help.
"Leo Varadkar visited our town yesterday and came into my premises," she said.
"I'm actually begging - we're all on our knees here in Midleton - homes, businesses alike.
"We're all standing together, we just need somebody to come in and be counted.
"We just don't know where to turn.
"It's not a blame game now, it's just a matter of what help we can get for businesses and homes alike.
"I want to be working, I don't want to be at home, I'm working since I'm 12 years of age.
"I'm begging, I've never begged anyone in my life, but I'm begging for help for our town and our community and homes."
Damage to the HS2 Salon in Midleton, Co Cork on October 19th, 2023. The window was blown in by chest-high flood waters. Image: Jamie O'Hara/NewstalkMs Dunlea said she also wants to help others if she can.
"I came home last night to my home, some people in Midleton don't have their home," he said.
"So, I'm ready to go and help anyone because of the help that I received yesterday.
"I'd like to give back and help anyone that we can today," she added.
Assistance on offer "is going to need to be in the high millions - tens of millions in fact", Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East James O'Connor has said.
"That's just for support for people," he added.
