SLIGO, IRELAND — Sligo County Councillors have called for urgent action from utilities ESB Networks and Eir to guarantee that the severe damage and prolonged outages experienced during Storm Eowyn last January will not be repeated. The call, made at the October monthly meeting of Sligo County Council, comes with the memory of Storm Amy still fresh, highlighting growing anxiety among residents ahead of the winter season.
Cllr Paul Taylor initiated a motion seeking 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 acknowledged the recent work of both Council and ESB staff but stressed the ongoing concern, stating, “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 devastating impact of Storm Eowyn (which hit in January, leaving many without electricity or heat for weeks) was central to the debate, with representatives urging all necessary efforts to ensure continuity of service.
A separate motion from Cllr Barry Gallagher requested urgent action to cut back trees and vegetation from poles, cables, and other utility infrastructure across the county. This is sought in the interest of public safety, service continuity, and to reduce the risk of outages during adverse weather. Furthermore, the motion requested that Eir and ESB set up a “regular maintenance schedule in consultation with the council.” Cllr Gallagher voiced his frustration, expressing concern about the lack of preparedness: “We need to get them in here before us again. A lot of people are getting paid a lot of money to do nothing.”
The motions reflect a deep-seated public concern over the resilience of essential services in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events.
