ATHLONE trainer Tom Cleary had a visit from Taoiseach Enda Kenny on New Year’s Eve but the trainer is not optimistic about receiving any state aid to help him clean up his flooded yard, stables and gallop.

In early December due to the Shannon River bursting its banks Cleary was forced to move his horses out of the yard and take up an offer to house them at the Curragh Racecourse. “The flooding has actually got worse this week,” he reported. “You wouldn’t get through the yard in wellingtons and the water is two and a half feet high on the gallop.”

Cleary’s application to a flood relief scheme has been refused.“They say it’s because the area is exempt from rates. A few small businesses have been caught out by this and we may appeal though I wouldn’t be hopeful. Enda Kenny was here today and, while he gave no guarantees, I think work will be done on the Shannon next year.” Sandbags have kept the floodwaters out of the Cleary home and the trainer is considering if he should spend up to €40,000 to reinstall his gallop when the waters recede. “That is what it cost me after the last flood in 2009. What else can I do if I want to keep training? We have 22 boxes, a new lunging ring, horsewalker and sand arena. The market value of the yard is so low now that I cannot realistically sell it.”