Urgent action from ESB and Eir sought to ensure Storm Eowyn damage in Sligo was a once-off

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Storm Amy was fresh in the minds when the elected representatives of Sligo County Council gathered on Monday morning last for the October monthly meeting with winter weather and its impact on vital utilities up for discussion in two separate motions.

In his motion Cllr Paul Taylor asked for an “Update from the ESB Networks on what infrastructure repair works have been done since the recent storms in areas that were worst affected in the county.”

Addressing the Council Chamber, Cllr Taylor thanked Sligo County Council and ESB staff for their work last weekend, adding, “Elderly people living on their own are starting to worry again.

"If the ESB want to come in here, I would be delighted to hear of the progress that is being carried out.”

The damage caused by Storm Eowyn last January left many households without electricity or heat for weeks with the council meeting hearing every effort must be made to ensure there is no repeat in the aftermath of future storms.

Cllr Barry Gallagher’s motion requested urgent action be taken to cut back trees and vegetation from poles, cables and other utility infrastructure throughout the county, in the interest of public safety, continuity of service and to the reduce risk of outages during adverse weather and that Eir, ESB set up a regular maintenance schedule in consultation with the council.”

Cllr Gallagher expressed his frustration at the uncertainty ahead of another winter season saying, “We need to get them in here before us again. A lot of people are getting paid a lot of money to do nothing.”