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Updated 5.10pm
34,000 HOMES AND business are currently without power due to Storm Emma, with ESB Networks warning that some customers may not see power returned until tomorrow.
Many of those affected lost their power last night. At the height of the storm, 117,000 premises were without power.
The main areas currently affected are Enniscorthy, Arklow, Portlaoise, Waterford, Dublin, Cork, Bandon, Fermoy, Tullamore, Duleek and Julianstown.
However, ESB Networks says that it has making good progress on existing faults, especially in the greater Dublin area. Thirty thousand additional homes, farms and businesses lost power since this morning. This, coupled by worsening weather in the south-east and difficulty getting access to some areas, means that ESB Networks is warning some people may not get their power restored until tomorrow.
ESB Networks said earlier today the outages are due to 350 separate faults and that this would normally be “a very manageable number” but that repairing them is currently difficult due to access problems on the roads.
ESB Networks said that it is working to restore services “as quick as possible” but its efforts are being hampered by the conditions.
“There are deep snow drifts in various parts of the country and so it is taking our crews a very long time to travel to each fault. It is also more difficult than normal to then carry out a repair,” the company said in a statement.
We understand how difficult it is to not have electricity in these conditions and so our staff are focussed on trying to restore supply to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. We will continue to work with the emergency services and Local Authorities to ensure the safety of the public and to minimise disruption and are seeking assistance from other state agencies to help us with access.
The company is again warning people to never approach broken lines or damaged poles and has said it will issue more updates later.
Speaking earlier on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, ESB Networks spokesperson Derek Hynes said that, while crews were out around Dublin city all last night, there would not be much hope of repairs before this evening.
“We had a pretty significant fault in Ringsend and had crews assisting emergency services at a number of fires.
“It looks like it will be tonight before we can get to some of the faults.”
ESB Networks is asking customers to be prepared to be without electricity in case their area is hit, by ensuring the following:
People are being asked to report dangerous situations immediately to the ESB by calling 1850 372 999.
A red weather warning is in place in certain counties until 9am tomorrow morning as high winds and snow batter the country.
- With reporting by Rónán Duffy and Aoife Barry
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And who pays the bill?
Half a story here on the journal
Tom Feely will pay in bitcoins
The €47k that the residents paid last year to Kildare Co Co in LPT would more than comfortably cover the cost of lighting and sewage…
With no street lights how will the kids ever know when it’s time to come in?
I heard the post was late in another estate today. Where’s the journal on that one? One would think someone in the journal lives in the above estate.
I think there’s a pothole being filled in Dingle today also.
Damn it. Dingle gets everything.
Electricity for kilcock…. The future is now…..! Them swans in the canal must be delighted…!
No it’s not a “piss take” …
Yes a lot of ppl have no street lights at all…. The difference with this estate is there are street lights – which have been switched off without notice – why should the next estate have lights and not this one??
It is a built up town not two houses on a five mile country road! It needs lights for various reasons!
There are many estates like this which did not make the news – as no one bothered to stand up and make it happen!!
I’m sure the rate payers of Kildare will be happy.
This has to be a piss-take.
I’s hopes that youse can still see the stars ..lol lol
At last, some light at the end of the tunnel!
Such a relief
Um, what about the sewage plant? The maintenance of the lighting? Who will be paying to ensure services are maintained for the people living there?
The residents in the form of their Local property tax….. Its just a shame that the sheeple of Ireland are not prepared to stand up for what is their LEGAL rights.. When big Phil announced the LPT he justified it by saying it paid for street lighting. Chambers Park residents paid €47k last year in LPT, this would power the sewage system and pay for street lights for 3 YEARS.
You misunderstand, Pa. I was asking which body would be responsible, the local authority? The article never even touched on such questions.
As far as I can see, and your figures back it up, estate dwellers pay far more in LPT than they draw down.
Yet another reason that ghost estates should be treated more equitably.
have your say