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04 Apr 2026

Broadband or no-band? Calls for review of Longford broadband as "problematic" speeds persist

Councillor Garry Murtagh has called on Longford County Council to write to Minister Patrick O’Donovan about the issue of poor broadband speeds in parts of the county

Garry Murtagh

Cllr Garry Murtagh raised the matter at a recent meeting of the Granard Municipal District

Councillor Garry Murtagh has called on Longford County Council to write to Minister Patrick O’Donovan seeking a review of the National Broadband Plan rollout in Longford, particularly in ‘light blue’ areas such as Aughnacliffe and Ballinamuck where broadband speeds are reported to be “problematic” with broadband speeds deemed “insufficient to the point of being non existent.” 

Speaking at a recent meeting of Granard Municipal District, Cllr Murtagh stated that while the overall rollout was considered a success, a full review and speed testing across the county would benefit Longford residents and provide a clearer assessment of the programme’s effectiveness. 

Read: Visit of 72 "key decision makers" to Longford could spur investment and tourism in county

In response, Director of Services for Longford County Council, Barbara Heslin, said the council supported Cllr Murtagh's proposal to write to the minister and added, “we might extend it to a review of the overhead fibre lines” as the north of the county had suffered significantly “during Storm Eowyn and other storms with fibre lines and poles coming down.” 

Cllr Murtagh welcomed the council's response to his motion.

The proposal was seconded by Cllr David Cassidy.

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