A number of people are trapped in their homes in West Cork after heavy rain seriously damaged the road between Rosscarbery and Glandore.

Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan said “millions of euro” of damage had been done to roads following the overnight in, with the Rosscarbery to Glandore Road “completely washed away” in areas.

Deputy O’ Sullivan said Cork County Council was assessing the damage and he had been in touch with local engineers' offices.

The Fianna Fáil TD said there are a significant number of people living on the route and that some were not able to leave their homes.

“In some instances, only a tractor or a 4x4 could access the road,” he said, “some people are trapped in their homes.” 

Deputy O'Sullivan said that other residents may only be able to access their homes by driving to Leap and approaching from that direction.

The Cork TD said businesses, including some which had only just re-opened, were also being impacted. 

Some tourist sites such as the Drombeg Stone Circle would be difficult for staycationers to access, he said. 

Deputy O’Sullivan said he expected that Cork County Council would apply for emergency funding and said he would be supportive of this.