'How will you boil water with no power?' - Longford councillor critical of Uisce Éireann's response to Storm Éowyn
“We have elderly people with no power and heat. They’ve put in tankers into town over the weekend which ran out of water, and they have a boil notice on it."
While there was considerable praise for the mammoth efforts of the ESB, Civil Defence and local authority crews in their response to Storm Éowyn, some members of Longford Municipal District were scathing in their criticism of Irish Water at management level.
Cllr Martin Monaghan commented, “First and foremost our ESB services have over half a million houses with power back and I think that’s a phenomenal turnaround. Our roads crew and our staff, there was phenomenal work done.”
He continued, “It’s come to light in the last number of days about the generators in the water plants. I believe there were generators there and they were removed by Irish Water and have not been replaced.
“The response from Irish Water has proven they’re not fit for purpose. To leave people, in this day and age, high and dry and with a storm coming, that our pumping stations aren't able to bring water to the community.
“We have elderly people with no power and heat. They’ve put in tankers into town over the weekend which ran out of water, and they have a boil notice on it.
“How will you boil water with no power?” he asked.
Cllr Monaghan then pointed out the hit that businesses across the county have taken due to the storm as well as those working in agriculture who have been struck hard as well.
“I call for generators to go into every water plant.”
Cllr Peggy Nolan agreed with her colleague stating, “I totally concur with what Cllr Monaghan has just said.”
She then went on to sing the praises of the frontline workers who have been combatting the effects of the storm.
She highlighted the need for a family resource centre in Longford town, an issue she has raised many times before.
“This makes the case, without having to say another word, for Longford needing a family resource centre.
“We need hubs because this weather event is not going to be isolated,” she remarked.
“We need a hub where a lot of people can be taken into, where they can be fed, kept warm and allowed to sleep.”
Also read: ‘A crime of utter repulsion’: Longford man (82) who had sex with dementia sufferer jailed
Longford has two family resource centres which were vital for providing even just a cup of tea to people during the storm.
“I want to thank the council again because this evening they have opened up the leisure centre and the athletic centres free of charge, for the public to go to, have a shower, have a hot drink and just be in a warm place.”
Many people are still without power across the county, almost two weeks since Storm Éowyn hit on Friday, January 24.