LATEST: 'Tipperary should have been given a Status Red warning,' says councillor

Cashel-Tipperary based Councillor John O'Heney has strongly criticised Met Éireann and believes many parts of the county were so badly hit by the recent weather that a Status Red weather warning should have been issued.

"All week people were trapped in their homes with snow, and many people spent days without power and water. It has been an extremely difficult and challenging week for many people.

"I have received hundreds upon hundreds of calls this week from those in real states of distress. Outside resources should have been sought to aid council efforts.

"I want to commend the council ground staff and the Council Engineering Team who have been doing everything they can in challenging circumstances, but I believe they are under resourced.

"Many in rural areas were forgotten about due to lack of resources. While the main roads and routes were maintained, a lot of the rural roads were not and people are understandably very frustrated.

"How many snow ploughs, snow moving equipment were lying idle in counties not affected by the current snowfall," said Cllr O'Heney.

The Independent Councillor commended the efforts of local contractors, farmers and private individuals who took it upon themselves in many rural areas to help out where needed.

"The efforts of local contractors to help their local communities in this time of need has been hugely admirable, and many have given their time freely all week to help those in need.

"The implementation of a Community Centred Action Plan is something I have already proposed to Council Officials for future extreme weather events.

"In future we need to support our council staff by utilising the support we received from farmers and contractors in the area. We need to have a list of individuals ready, willing and able, who can assist us in times of emergency.

"We must ensure they are insured, have health and safety documents in place, and are compensated for their work.

"I also want to commend the great efforts of the gardaí, the Civil Defence, the Red Cross and all local businesses, for everything they did this week in this time of emergency."