UCC to sue ESB for €18m flood damage

UCC is to sue the national electricity supply board, ESB, for €18 for damage sustained to its buildings as a result of the controversial November 2009 flood damage.

ESB came under significant criticism at the time for allegedly opening a key water dam during an almost unprecedented deluge of rain, though has since denied wrongdoing in the natural disaster, which costs local businesses millions of Euro worth of damage.

UCC’s lawsuit is expected to claim that the ESB was negligent and caused severe flooding by releasing too much water, in too short a time, from the dams on 19 November.

UCC’s claim is being brought as a ‘subrogated’ claim on behalf of its insurer, Aviva.

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30 out of UCC’s 80 acre campus was flooded as a result of the downpour.

The Gluksman Gallery, the Western Gateway Building, the Maltings Complex, several student accommodation blocks, and the entire Mardyke sports complex were damaged by the flooding.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly made an order transferring UCC’s claim to the commercial court.

The matter has been adjourned until this July.