Locals asked to host ESB workers amid power restoration efforts

Senator Aisling Dolan has called for local support for ESB Crews battling to restore power in Roscommon and Galway.

Yesterday, Senator Aisling Dolan met with Nicolas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, and Siobhán Wynne, ESB Regional Director for the Midlands, at Leinster House to discuss the ongoing crisis.

The Ballinasloe Senator said: “In the wake of the most devastating storm ever to hit our region, I spoke yesterday with senior ESB officials to get a firsthand account of the crisis.

“This unprecedented storm has plunged tens of thousands of our homes into darkness, with 10,500 faults currently affecting 133,000 households across the nation.

"All High Voltage lines, including the last repairs in Glenamaddy, are now restored, marking a significant milestone toward full power restoration. These are the massive masts we see carrying up to 400KV.

“Despite this progress, we have families who are nearly a week without power and water and trying to make do in extremely difficult situations, farms and businesses with a huge impact.

“I’m calling for ESB Networks to deploy more crews to our region in the West and North-West.

“However, one of the most pressing challenges right now is finding accommodation for the incredible crews working around the clock. These teams, deployed in the worst-hit areas in Roscommon and East Galway, are working in clusters, prioritising homes with medical needs. Local authorities are assisting with traffic management to keep the repairs moving smoothly.

“10,500 faults are still affecting 133,000 households nationwide, ESB Networks have mobilised 2,500 crew members—including 300 international contractors from Finland, Austria, the UK, and the Netherlands, which marks the first time crews from beyond the UK have assisted in such efforts—to restore power as quickly as possible.

“More crews in our area mean families and communities will have power restored as soon as possible. Lack of accommodation this Bank Holiday Weekend is an issue, and we urgently need to make sure these crews have places to stay across the counties of Roscommon and Galway.

"If you have a spare room, a holiday rental, or any other space that could house these hardworking teams this weekend, please consider offering it. This support will help to bring in even more crews and get the lights back on faster,” she concluded.