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Residents fill up from a water truck in a supermarket car park in Ratoath, Co Meath. Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Supermarkets as far south as Dublin are being cleared out of water as shortage enters sixth day

Retailers are struggling to keep up with demand.

THE WATER SHORTAGE that has left thousands of people without running water in Louth and east Meath has had a knock-on effect in parts of north Dublin.

Stocks of bottled water in major retailers are being stretched and stores are having to order increased supply to cater for people travelling from outside Dublin for water.

Lidl is among the retailers who say they’ve been forced to increase supply to cater for people along commuter routes who’ve been stocking up on supplies of still water.

The shortage has stemmed from a burst main near Drogheda that has seen around 70,000 people without water since Friday.

Irish Water has said that the water supply in some areas may not return to normal until this coming weekend and 35 water tankers have been deployed to supplement the shortage.

But locals have been attempting to cope with the shortage in other ways, among them stocking up on bottled water. This has led to empty shelves in some local stores and people travelling from further afield only to find that stocks have been depleted as far as Dublin.

Ashbourne resident Joey Kavanagh explains that he checked three stores and drove to Dublin before getting bottled water:

My sister texted me and said there’s no water in the taps and so I said I’ll pick up some bottled water from Aldi when I get to Ashbourne. When I went into the shop in Ashbourne there was no still water at all. And my sister had heard there was none in Lidl either so we just figured there’d be none in any of the shops.

“So we got in the car and drove to Finglas and got to Lidl and again we went inside expecting there’d be water and there was none, there was just sparkling water. All the still bottles of water were gone. Then we drove on to Tesco Clearwater and there was a supply of water that was quite depleted but we managed to get some bottles. So we actually stocked up and got 63 litres.”

The water shortage has even led to reports of some stores limiting the amount of water each customer can buy in order to ration the available stock.

Asked about what steps are being taken to meet the increased demand, Lidl confirmed it has bumped up its orders of bottled water from suppliers.

“We are working closely with our suppliers to ensure increased daily deliveries of bottled water to our two stores in Drogheda and surrounding areas. In order to meet this demand, the increased delivery of water to our stores  will continue until water supply in the area resumes to normal,” the company said in a statement.

Read: Irish Water warns Drogheda water shortage may not be fixed until the weekend >

Read: Around 70,000 people could be left without water until the weekend >

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95 Comments
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    Mute Ray Browne
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:46 PM

    You have to love Ireland, a nation of begrudges, the poor girl was homeless and she needed our assistance.I pay my tax and I am happy it’s used to help our vulnerable citizens instead of the elite and bankers.

    I hope none of you ever have to deal with any of these circumstances that the homeless have to deal with on a daily basis.

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    Mute Conor Hall
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    Jun 13th 2017, 3:21 PM

    @cholly appleseed: maybe she grew up in different circumstances to you, you privileged fool.

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:51 PM

    @Billy McNamara: I’m a robot because I think a junkie doesn’t deserves a free house having never continued in her life. OK so

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    Mute Marian Redmond
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    Jun 13th 2017, 5:14 PM

    @cholly appleseed: she has achieved freedom from. Addiction Ann’s that’s a huge achievement..who knows what she might achieve now..i hope you never fall on hardtimes ..you judgemental person..you know NOTHING of her story but act like you know it all

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 5:17 PM

    @Marian Redmond: any addict will tell you they are never truly free from addiction. Correct but I know enough about city centre housing to know the kinds they house first.

    29
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    Mute Bingobango
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    Jun 13th 2017, 6:22 PM

    Why was every single one of Freds comments deleted Journal? Did you not like the narrative he was putting across? Or do you not like the fact that his comments were very popular? This publication has gone to the absolute dogs.

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    Mute saoirse janneau
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    Jun 13th 2017, 6:33 PM

    @Ray Browne: 100% agree. I’m delighted for this lady. She gets a second chance at life. Life is short and we are all connected.

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    Mute Diogenes
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    Jun 13th 2017, 7:14 PM

    @cholly appleseed: But what if she goes onto get a job from this and contribute economically, shouldn’t she be given that chance?

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    Mute Graham Gallagher
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    Jun 13th 2017, 7:29 PM

    @Ray Browne: everyone is a bad decision away from being homeless..

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    Mute Jonathan Gaffey
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    Jun 14th 2017, 7:29 AM

    @Ray Browne: my thoughts exactly Ray!!.

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    Mute Scundered
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:54 PM

    Whilst this is good news, the inner city should be reserved for those working in fulltime employment. People should be allocated to areas that suit their lifestyle.

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    Mute Alan Ball
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    Jun 13th 2017, 3:02 PM

    The road to this was not easy and I must applaud the young woman for turning her life around,yet it does leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those who do the right thing and still .through no fault of their own are left wanting.It is not easy getting 30,000 euro for a deposit..it takes a lot of hard work and it is not rewarded in this country..that is a fact

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    Mute Paul Foot
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:01 PM

    Good luck to all concerned – and well done¡

    146
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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:46 PM

    Why is the inner city constantly getting social housing? It’s at breaking point. There are 75 more units up the road from at agathas being built.
    Why is there not more of these units available to the squeezed middle class who are working in city centre, paying bills and usually commuting 2/3 hours a day?

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:53 PM

    @Blah blah: because the empty vessels make the most noise. It’s the workers that are too busy to bang on the door

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    Mute ginger tomatoes i9
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:16 PM

    Why is answer to homelessness a free house for life?

    Not begrudging anyone but think if you have a finite budget then rather than individual new apartments for a handful of people could we not accomodate larger amounts of people in more sensible accommodations.

    On continent the build blocks of hotel type accommodation with 8-9 private rooms per floor sharing common areas (kitchen and bathroom)

    Not ideal long term but same budget can house 70/80 rather than 11. Not something you would want to live in for rest of your life, but not meant to be. Meant to be a helping hand until you are able to stand on own feet and find something nicer using your own resources.

    Fact is we will never get to end of housing list housing people one at a time

    103
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    Mute Dante Marquinhos
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:01 PM

    Awaiting the arrival of the Journal experts to tell us there is no homeless problem, just a bunch of people holding out for their preferred areas. Does this happen? yes, does it happen as the Journal experts believe, absolutely not.

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    Mute Fred Jensen
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:22 PM

    @Dante Marquinhos:

    Why should she have a preferred area? She’s dependent on the taxpayer for charity.

    197
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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:55 PM

    @Fred Jensen: because it’s close to her methadone clinic. Honestly

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    Mute Dante Marquinhos
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    Jun 13th 2017, 3:01 PM

    @Fred Jensen: @Fred Jensen: It’s called having a support network. I know you think just sticking someone into a accommodation is all that is required, problem solved.

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:39 PM

    @Dante Marquinhos: 49% refusal rate in Cork. How high does it have to be before you would stop denying it is happening? http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/families-turn-down-social-housing-due-to-lack-of-space-garden-or-parking-34359743.html

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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Jun 13th 2017, 6:37 PM

    @Fred Jensen: By having a place to call home and moving on with her life maybe she will indeed become a very productive person where she just may get work and not be dependent of the state for help. God forbid if you or one of your own ever ended up needing charity from the taxpayer, what goes around comes around Karma is a B*

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    Mute Angela
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:02 PM

    Good news. More of this needed.

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    Mute Tony Daly
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:23 PM

    Respect to that brave and determined young woman.

    It is a tiny but well designed space.

    It is one small good news story but it shows what can be done.

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:55 PM

    @Tony Daly: no respect at all and shes not brave. In fact she is the opposite

    58
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    Mute Ian Oh
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:02 PM

    “working with banks to keep people in their homes”. What a load of nonsense!! More like; this Government worked with vulture funds to ensure anyone with debt issues are kicked out their homes.

    103
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    Mute Eamonn O'Riain
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:15 PM

    Anyone for Minister for Housing: Peter McVerry?

    41
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    Mute Conor W
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:45 PM

    @Eamonn O’Riain: free gaffs for everyone. Can’t see that work….

    80
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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:58 PM

    @Conor W: no free gaffs to junkies first

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    Mute David Conroy
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    Jun 13th 2017, 7:05 PM

    @Eamonn O’Riain: Peter McVerry is 35 years dealing with the homeless crisis. What does that say about the problem ?

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    Mute Graeme Oconnor
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    Jun 13th 2017, 7:14 PM

    @cholly appleseed: must kill you to see someone else over coming something you’re probably up to you’re eyes in bills hahahhaa keep hating

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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 13th 2017, 1:58 PM

    Cue the poor haters comments

    54
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    Mute David Byrne
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:02 PM

    @abcyz: I see you won the race. Best of luck to her in her new home.

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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:05 PM

    @David Byrne: Meanwhile the poor haters have no problem with welfare for Apple, bondholders, vulture funds, Seany & now HAP which is unlimited dole for landlords and FIS which is unlimited dole for poverty paying employers

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:22 PM

    @abcyz: Interesting finding. How many poor haters did you survey on that extensive list of topics?

    23
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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:31 PM

    @Neal Ireland Hello.: There is always vile comments towards anyone needing housing here with the right wing “they just want a free house” crowd who have no problem with welfare for Apple bondholders vulture funds Seany(who cost us 34 Billion) FIS for poverty paying employers & hugely profitable companies & now HAP for the landlords of which many of FG are so HAP is for them when we need proper council houses built now like we did even in the 1920s when we a new and very poor state

    24
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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:49 PM

    @abcyz: poor haters?

    What about those working full time in city centre, can’t get a mortgage in Dublin and pushed out to commuter towns, driving a few hours a day for work and missing out in family time. I think the homeless crew and dcc housing are middle class haters

    43
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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 13th 2017, 5:13 PM

    @Blah blah: You voted FG & FF & their Labour liers sidekicks for generations over and over again & that’s the country you get

    8
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    Mute John Stafford
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:11 PM

    A great refurbishment. A credit to the builders, planners, Mc Verry trust and all involved.

    A beautiful renovation of proper homes.

    In no time residents will feel part of the community if they are not already are.

    Delighted.

    25
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    Mute A2 Poster
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:55 PM

    The Journal removing comments and censoring people. How progressive of you.

    21
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    Mute Lionel Nashe
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    Jun 13th 2017, 2:49 PM

    The housing shortage is not going to be solved any time soon, if ever, the way things are going. The banks, the regulators, and NAMA have done more damage to this country than if we were bombed from the air.

    21
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    Mute Angela
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    Jun 13th 2017, 3:46 PM

    @Fred Jensen: God help you. If you go through life with that sort of attitude, you’ll never be content. We are a society, not an economy.

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    Mute Scundered
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    Jun 13th 2017, 5:09 PM

    @Angela: I would disagree with Fred on most things however on this problem he has good point, for every house being provided, someone else is paying for it, of course it’s an economy, unless you think they can be provided for free?

    34
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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Jun 13th 2017, 6:52 PM

    @Scundered: that’s not true every council property has a rent on it, you must pay rent and each house hold pays per person working or income coming into the house. Even if you are in receipt of a welfare payment you will pay by the differential system They council uses a differential rent system all incomes are calculated in order to qualify for a “Council House or Flat” you income must be below a limit.

    https://www.housingagency.ie/Housing-Information/What-is-Social-Housing/Renting-from-my-Local-Authority.aspx

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    Mute Jason Farrell
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    Jun 13th 2017, 8:09 PM

    @Charliegrl80: well said ! but I don’t think the begrudgers are interested in the facts

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    Mute Scundered
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    Jun 13th 2017, 10:10 PM

    @Charliegrl80: how long do you think it would take for someone with subsidised rent to pay off a house costing 300k to build?

    5
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    Mute Jackson Bollovks
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    Jun 14th 2017, 12:43 AM

    I’d love a free apartment

    10
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    Mute Conor Hall
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    Jun 13th 2017, 3:05 PM

    “My name is Jacqueline McCafferty…”

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    Mute Cindy Crawford
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    Jun 13th 2017, 11:29 PM

    Are homeless people given ownership of these apartments & can stay in them regardless if their circumstances improve.

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    Mute Vincent Sharpe
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    Jun 13th 2017, 4:49 PM

    Wow 11 Wow. How much work did that take.

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    Mute Jason Farrell
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    Jun 13th 2017, 8:00 PM

    @cholly appleseed: oh so she is an empty vessel because she’s poor .. how very classist of you

    9
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    Mute Patrick McCann
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    Jun 20th 2017, 11:30 PM

    @Ray Browne: most of your income tax IS used to line the pockets of the rich, actually

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