Residents missing ‘very important phone calls’ amid coverage problems in Leitrim

Areas of Leitrim are experiencing problems with phone service and coverage dropping, with people missing important calls and appointments due to an issue linked to a mast that has been shut down.

The issue is occurring around the Gortletteragh and Lough Rynn areas, according to councillors Irene Guckian-Rabbitte and Maeve Reynolds, who each brought similar motions on the matter to September’s meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District.

Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte asked that the Council write to the telecommunications companies that provide broadband and mobile phone connections, requesting that they evaluate the current status of their masts and facilities, as they appear to be “currently inadequate,” particularly around the Mohill, Gortletteragh and Lough Rynn areas.

“People around Mohill are saying that coverage is dropping mid call especially in recent months. There seems to be a mast shut down in Mohill and I’m told it’s out towards Lough Rynn beside the substation,” Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte told the meeting.

She said that people cannot make or receive phone calls in the area around Gortletteragh and Lough Rynn.

“Everyone wants to be contactable, especially if they have children or they’re looking after elderly parents. People have said to me that they’ve missed out on very important phone calls. It’s very frustrating and makes life very hard,” she said.

“Phone and broadband is very important for everyday living. It’s being turned off without any notice.”

Cllr Reynolds tabled a similar motion, proposing that the Municipal District recognise the “significant deterioration” in mobile and broadband connectivity experienced in Mohill, Rinn and surrounding areas, particularly over the past three months.

She further called on the Council to engage with providers such as Vodafone and ComReg to establish the cause and extent of the problem, the status of existing infrastructure, plans for repair or upgrade, and to identify solutions to the problem.

“It has been a longstanding issue in Mohill but a more recent issue heading out towards the estates in Lough Rynn,” Cllr Reynolds said.

Cllr Reynolds told the meeting that when she contacted the telephone companies, she was told only one complaint had been lodged. She urged customers to register formal complaints to make the companies take the issue seriously.

An official response stated that the Council acknowledges the concerns raised regarding broadband and phone coverage in these areas of the county and will write to the relevant telecommunications providers, requesting that they review the current performance and coverage of their networks and infrastructure in these locations, and advise on any planned upgrades or investment programmes to address identified deficiencies.

The response further stated that the Council will continue to engage with telecommunications providers and national agencies to support improvements in digital connectivity across Leitrim.

“I welcome that Leitrim County Council are going to engage. It’s part of our daily life that we require and it’s something that needs to be addressed immediately,” commented Cllr Reynolds.

When contacted for comment, ComReg said it was not aware of any masts in the Mohill and Lough Rynn area having been shut down or taken out of service, and that operators are not obliged to notify ComReg when a mast is decommissioned.

“ComReg, at this time, does not have any plans to test/investigate the mobile coverage in this area,” the response concluded, adding that people can see advice on how to improve indoor coverage online at comreg.ie/advice-information/mobile/get-the-most-out-of-your-mobile-service/