‘Absolute hardship’ – rural Leitrim in the dark with blankets and hot water bottles
Families left freezing as ESB prioritizes main lines while rural homes wait
Communities across rural Leitrim are in an uproar as ESB continues to prioritize the restoration of main power lines, leaving countless smaller connections in limbo. Furious residents say they’ve been left without electricity for days on end, with no clear indication of when the lights will finally come back on.
Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Paddy O’Rourke, has launched a scathing critique of the utility’s strategy. “The focus is entirely on the major power lines while small clusters of rural homes are left in the dark,” he declared. “It’s completely unacceptable that people in isolated areas, particularly the elderly and those with health conditions, have been without power for so long. These people should not be an afterthought.”
“In many cases, the necessary repairs to make those small connections work again is very minimal and would only require a small number of ESB personnel for a short period of time,” O’Rourke says. “I’m aware of one particular instance where a single wire snapped from a pole, and that one wire is denying four houses of electricity. Meanwhile, everyone above and below them on the line has power.”
O’Rourke notes that many rural households, especially in areas like Cloone, Aughavas, and Corriga, remain completely in the dark. Residents in some townlands have been told they may not have power until February 2—or even February 5—causing growing alarm among farmers, business owners, and especially elderly people. “These folks are sitting at home all day wrapped in blankets and hot water bottles, with no means to heat their houses properly,” he says. “It’s absolute hardship.”
In rural areas like Cloone and Aughavas, fallen trees and mangled poles add to the mounting frustration. ESB teams have resorted to aerial assessments to gauge the havoc, but progress remains painfully slow. “In some cases, it’s impossible to even get near the damaged lines, but that doesn’t mean those homes should be forgotten,” O’Rourke insisted. “We need a more balanced approach that doesn’t just cater to the largest number of people first but also ensures that those most vulnerable are taken care of.”
Outrage has peaked following warnings that some households might be stuck without power until early February. O’Rourke acknowledges the gruelling task that ESB workers face yet demands immediate change. “We fully appreciate the work being done by the ESB crews, and we know they’re under enormous pressure. But there needs to be a fairer way of allocating resources. We cannot have people in remote areas waiting weeks for power while main line repairs are being prioritized at all costs.”
As the storm recovery drags on, critics are ramping up calls for ESB to overhaul its entire response. “No one should be left behind in this recovery,” O’Rourke said. “We need action, and we need it now.”