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06 Sept 2025

Government have many questions to answer about total neglect of Longford communities and rural Ireland in wake of Storm Éowyn

'It would be great to have a proactive Government for the people rather than for themselves as we have witnessed with all their shenanigans in the Dáil over the past few weeks'

Government have many questions to answer about total neglect of Longford communities and rural Ireland in wake of Storm Éowyn

Government have many questions to answer about total neglect of Longford communities and rural Ireland in wake of Storm Éowyn

Reporter:

Joe O'Brien

06 Feb 2025 1:41 PM

Email:

Lanesboro correspondent

Early on Friday morning, January 24 we buckled down for another one of our winter storms.
As it transpired Storm Éowyn, as it was named, was like no other storm with winds blowing stronger than anything ever.
Records were broken with wind speed and in terms of the damage it done in causing untold loss of property to many many people.
As I write it is 10 days on since the storm and during that time many were without not only electricity, internet access, phone access but also without water which was probably the most inconvenient of all.
There are also pockets of households in our area that are still without electricity all told there are still around 69,000 countrywide.
We appreciate all the work being done tirelessly by the repair crews and especially under the conditions they have to work. Their work is truly appreciated and recognised even by those that are still suffering without electricity.
We also have to acknowledge the tireless work done by Councillor Sean Mimnagh who throughout the 10 days he has worked tirelessly and most especially through this weekend when those with electricity were really at their wits end and in desperate need of support and encouragement.
We must question the response or should I say the lack of, by our own Government.
There are many questions they have to answer about the total neglect of rural Ireland. It appears that the ways of the Old Government has carried on to the new one and their attitude to rural Ireland. It now seems that their policy is the continued abandonment of rural Ireland.
Despite the afterthought of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme and the Community Welfare Services, that were gladly received, it was not until they felt the backlash of the people that prompted them into some action.
It would be great to have a proactive Government for the people rather than for themselves as we have witnessed with all their shenanigans in the Dáil over the past few weeks.
The morning after the storm and over the past 10 days we truly witnessed the meaning of the Irish word ‘Meitheal’ (the Irish word for a work team) when all over the area people came out in huge numbers to help out anyone in need of help and support. Individuals and teams of locals appeared out of nowhere with handsaws and chainsaws to clear the many blocked roads and to help with the clean-up.
We have a community to be extremely proud of and long may that community spirit stay alive in our community.

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