Manager Kieran Barry this week vowed to keep a 'business as usual' policy operating at Fermoy Community Youth Centre despite the flood protection works encroaching further into the operation of the premises.

He appealed for the support of the local community in keeping the usually popular and busy venue operational while the works are ongoing at Ashe Quay. On Monday, contractors Lagan Construction moved the hoarding in to the edge of the footpath in front of the centre, as they prepared to resume piling works there. Kieran said it made an already challenging situation even more difficult for them. He's having to use a fire-exit at the side of the building to bring equipment in and out of the premises. It's not ideal as there are steps and a guardrail in front, which will make it difficult to manoeuvre large items of equipment in and out.

The centre has taken a hit in recent weeks because of the works, Kieran explained, with a number of scheduled events cancelled. "I had to tell people booking with us about the works on the grounds of health and safety. It was only right," he said. Even the numbers attending the weekly bingo are down. They've now delayed a planned relaunch of the centre's theatre as the Palace Theatre until later in the year.

Two summer camps are going ahead from next week at the centre but after that business for August has slackened off considerably, Kieran says. He's hoping people will rally to support the self-funded venue by booking events with them. Their full range of meeting rooms are available for hire. "We'll continue as normal," he stressed.

Meanwhile Lagan's community liaison officer, Cian O'Sullivan, told The Avondhu that the piling works will be complete along that section and the hoarding moved back out to where it was by the middle of next week. Piling will still be going on in front of the the Waterside apartments complex, he said.

Works at the bridge are progressing. Concrete has now being poured on the first section and that will be filled this week and the next section moved on to. Two-way traffic will continue to operate on the bridge.

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