LISTOWEL Racecourse is counting the cost of the damage done to the track and facilities by Storm Bert last weekend.

The Co Kerry track is bordered by the River Feale which burst its banks on Saturday and flooded the racing surface. Fixtures and fittings were washed away and water also entered some racecourse buildings.

Racecourse director Pat Healy reported: “I’ve been on the board for 20 years and have never seen anything like this. I’ve been told it hasn’t happened since 1973.

“A lot of snow fell in Cork and Kerry. That melted into the river, along with the rain, and when it reached us it all overflowed and about 70 houses were destroyed close to the racecourse.

“It has done a lot of damage to the racetrack. When the flood waters receded some of the railings had washed away and the rubber matting in the parade ring had been lifted and carried away.

“The weighroom was flooded. The flooring in both the jockeys’ room and stewards’ room has been damaged. The electrics are gone all around the racecourse and there was gravel displacement in the stableyard, leaving pipes uncovered.

“A dirty residue was left in the buildings backing on to the river, and the ambulance road on the inside of the track has been left with craters, not potholes. All the tarmacadam will have to be relaid.”

Healy estimated the damage will run into six figures. “We’re facing a serious financial hit. But we’re not forgetting that some people in the area had their homes damaged and our thoughts are with them.”

The Listowel Race Company is due to meet next week when it will receive a report on the damage done from facilities manager John Sheehan.