Elderly afraid to go out at night in Tullamore estates claims councillor

Elderly people are afraid to go out in a Tullamore housing estate at night time due to the lack of street lights a local public representative has claimed.

Independent councillor Sean O'Brien said residents in several estates in Tullamore had been in contact with him about public lights which have been out of order for months. 

“Almost all of the lights in an area in Arden View are not working and these lights service an area with 50 houses. Family members tell me that their elderly parents are afraid to go out at night due to lack of street lights," outlined Cllr O' Brien.

"I have reported these faulty lights many times both to the council and also to the lighting contractors who are supposed to repair these lights.  Residents have also reported the issues many times. This issue has been ongoing for at least the past two years and it is simply not acceptable any longer. I will be raising it again at the council meeting this Thursday and I hope to get some resolution of the matter."

In a separate statement to the Tribune another local councillor said the street light situation in Tullamore is to be addressed by the council in the coming weeks.

Cllr Declan Harvey, Cathaoirleach, Tullamore Municipal District, said the council only became aware that lights weren't working when the evenings darkened.

He said it was planned to get broken and defective lights replaced by Halloween.