Irish Water should have back up generators - Gilroy

While Storm Darragh caused electricity outages in Athboy, it shouldn't have also caused water outages, Cllr David Gilroy said at a Kells Muncipal meeting on Monday.

Athboy was without water in the wake of Storm Darragh on Friday night, with some homes not having water restored until Monday evening.

Cllr Gilroy proposed that the council formally contact Irish Water and express great concern at the lack of a back up generator at the water pumping station for the Athboy area.

"In this day and age a relatively low cost and straight forward piece of plant could have averted huge disruption. While storm Darragh resulted in electricity outages it shouldn’t have caused water outages too if there is a contingency available. It didn’t have to blow us all the way back to the Middle Ages," he said.

"It is a reasonable expectation that they would have a back up generator. All the other utilities were putting their contingency plans in place," he said.

"Our local water team have both their hands tied behind their backs in their attempt to support the local community. I call on Uisce Eireann to immediately review this situation.

"I would like to thank our local water team and Meath County Council outdoor crews on their great work and communication over the period affected."

Cllr Mike Bray expressed concern that the ESB were looking at the number of houses affected by power outages to prioritise repairs, while they should also be looking at what type of structure - such as the pumping station.

He was told they have a list of critical infrastructure.