Further subsidence discovered in Magheracloone
Further subsidence has been discovered in the Magheracloone area in recent days where ongoing assessment is taking place following the collapse of an old gypsum mine a week and a half ago.
Gyroc has confirmed that it has identified a further disturbance zone as part of their ongoing monitoring of the area.
It is outside the 120m radius disturbance zone established by Gyproc but within the original 2km area of assessment.
A spokesperson for Monaghan County Council said this discovery reaffirms the need to maintain a safety cordon around the perimeter of the former underground mine at Drumgossat.
(Photos courtesy of Alan Carroll/Magheracloone GFC)
A spokesperson for Gyrpoc said this new zone does not include properties outside of Gyproc’s own land, any houses or buildings in the area, nor does it affect the original five homes, GAA club, or roads previously identified.
The company says it continues to monitor a 2kmsq area around the original zone of disturbance which includes the area where the new disturbance which occurred overnight on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
"Our teams continue to work diligently with relevant authorities and have notified them in accordance with all our licence requirements and we will also continue to communicate with the local community and provide updates as and when we can. As always, our focus is on supporting the community that we have been part of for over 80 years," the spokesperson said.
Monaghan County Council has said that technical assessments are ongoing and it anticipates receiving a detailed geological assessment report prepared by Gyproc Ireland Limited early next week.
The Council confirmed that the in the interests of public safety, the Carrickmacross/Kingscourt Road (R179) will remain closed from Drumgossat Crossroads to O’Rourke’s Filling Station at Drummond. The LP4900 to Drumgossat will also remain closed to traffic.
"The road closures will remain in place until the detailed technical assessments confirm that they are safe for public use," a spokesperson said.
Traffic between Carrickmacross and Kingscourt is being diverted via Shercock. Doran Motors and Treacy’s Hotel are fully accessible from Carrickmacross using the R179 regional road. O’Rourke’s filling station, Ciaran McConnon Motors and Cabra Castle Hotel are accessible from Kingscourt using the R179 or local diversionary routes.
Images of the shocking subsidence show the extent of the damage done in the area and Magheracloone's GAA Club is now homeless with locals also losing their community centre.
However, in the midst of it all, a seven-year-old from Ratoath managed to bring a smile to the faces of club members with his heart-warming letter asking could his under-7 Ratoath team play Magheracloone to raise money to help the club.
Read all about Victor Clarke's letter here
Victor Clarke (7) from Ratoath with the letter he wrote looking to organise a charity under-seven match to help the Magheracloone Club