Surge of anger and stress as Longford residents hit by prolonged power outages feel left behind

There has been a surge of anger and stress among Longford householders that are still without power in the wake of Storm Éowyn.

While many people across Longford have been gradually getting back to normal almost two weeks following the catastrophic storm, approximately 400 Longford customers are still without power and some of them could be waiting until Saturday, February 8 before their power is restored.

Aughnacliffe resident Mary McKeon ruefully reflected, “It’s been awful. It looks as if ESB crews are working locally now so I’m half optimistic that there might be light at the end of the tunnel, though I’m not sure when.”

Gráinne Reid is a mother living in Ardagh and she said the power insecurity has been particularly difficult for her family especially her 14-year-old daughter, Rebecca who is living with extreme epilepsy.

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Gráinne explained, “It’s very stressful. It’s had a huge impact on Rebecca and her health. In regards to the electricity we need a monitor at night to alert us if she’s having a seizure as she has multiple seizures during the night.”

As of  12 noon, yesterday, Tuesday, February 4, and according to www.PowerCheck.ie there are 228 customers in Longford (area covers Ballinalee, Drumlish / Ballinamuck and Mullinalaghta), 71 in Aghamore (Lanesboro & Killashee), 26 in Egeworthstown and 83 in Ballymahon and the estimated power restore date in most instances is today, Wednesday, February 5.

However, fifty customers in Ballymahon have estimated restore times of 10.30 on Friday, February 7 (27 customers) and 09.45 on Saturday, February 8 (23 customers).

Those pockets of people across the county that have been without power for twelve days have become increasingly frustrated as the days go on.

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An ESB spokesperson stated, "In the areas with the largest number of faults, as ESB Networks make progress to repair the extensive damage, some customers may see their estimated restoration times change over the coming days. If you are in a position to visit www.PowerCheck.ie, estimated restoration times will continue to be updated.

"Customers who remain without power will progressively have their supply restored.”

Speaking to the ‘Leader’ on Monday afternoon, Mary McKeon, who has been without electricity since the Storm Éowyn hit, expressed hope that she might be reconnected prior to the estimated restore day on PowerCheck.ie which was given as Wednesday, February 5.

“Today is the eleventh day, I don’t know if you can imagine, but I think it’s worse than Covid,” she quipped. Mary added, “It’s been awful. It looks as if ESB crews are working locally now so I’m half optimistic that there might be light at the end of the tunnel, though I’m not sure when.”

Thankfully Mary didn't lose her water supply but, like many others, has lost a lot in terms of food after having to throw out everything in her freezer.

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She said she had spoken to the ESB workers that morning who informed her that another fault had been found in their area.

Currently, the area has around fifty-four people still waiting for their electricity to return.

“He said to me, we’ll get that going, we’re going to get that switched on and we’re going to get a lot of people's power back on. I asked when and he just said ‘I don’t know’.

“I accept that they’re working, but to me, it’s their job we’re paying for our service and we’re not getting it and that’s not me blaming any individual I think that the bigger organisation needs to look at it.”

In Ardagh, Gráinne Reid, highlighted that the power insecurity has been particularly difficult for her family especially her 14-year-old daughter, Rebecca who is living with extreme epilepsy.

Gráinne explained, “Rebecca has multiple seizures every day, triple digits every month.”

Gráinne got her power back the Sunday following the Storm, and unfortunately, it has been coming and going ever since. Her daughter relies on electricity and the internet for her monitors to work. They also have no water, and with no water comes no heat.

“It’s had a huge impact on Rebecca and her health. In regards to the electricity we need a monitor at night to alert us if she’s having a seizure as she has multiple seizures during the night.

“It’s very stressful, I've had very little sleep as it is. We’ve recently been approved for a night nurse. We’re delighted with the HSE for it and we’re awaiting our appointment. So it’s quite serious,” she explained.

Their power went once again last Saturday which added to the stress with flickering lights and the power going in and out. It eventually came back and remained until Sunday. Unfortunately, on Monday morning, the electricity went off once again.

Gráinne wants to highlight how Longford is constantly facing power outages, and that it’s not always the storms that cause them.

Also Read: Greater support needed for Longford families affected by Storm Éowyn

She agrees with Mary McKeon's assessment that there needs to be a complete upgrade to the current system.

A Longford woman, who would prefer to remain anonymous, has been incredibly worried about the wellbeing of her 95-year-old mother who, along with herself and nine others, has been left without power for the last eleven days.

“There are nine of us here without power and another seven further down the road.

“They are trying to get the power restored in the next 24 hours. We are almost 12 days without it,” she explains

She has been afraid that her mother could catch hypothermia due to the cold.