Operations were continuing Saturday to salvage Limericks floating Christmas tree on the river Shannon after it drifted down the river Friday evening and hit Shannon bridge.
Contractors now have high winds to contend with along with a strong river current as they attempt to upright the structure and pull it to a safe area at Bishops Quay. A section of its base remains underwater.
Emergency Services remained at the scene overnight along with recovery crews and attempted to keep the 100ft tree vertical. Once towed to a safe area, engineers will assess the damage and begin repairs as soon as possible. Speedline, the company who constructed the tree, are also at the scene.
The operation is progressing at a slow pace and workers have said, given these circumstances, it is too early to tell at this stage of the salvage operation when the tree will be in position and lighting.
Meanwhile an Inter Agency Group, comprising of local authorities across the Midwest including Limerick City Council, County Council and Emergency Services, have warned of potential flooding along the lower River Shannon over the coming days.
“Considerable volumes of water are moving down the River Shannon following recent torrential rainfall. Property and land owners from south of Killaloe/Ballina to Limerick City, particularly in flood prone areas, are being advised to exercise increased caution as a result”, the councils said in a statement Saturday.
