Sir, – Recent media coverage of Ireland’s storm-induced electricity outages often portrays a softened image of candlelit dinners and cosy firesides. For many, particularly the elderly, vulnerable, and those who live isolated rural areas, the reality was far harsher. My experience during a recent storm, where I endured a full week without electricity, water, heating, or cooking facilities, tells a very different story.
Storm-related outages have grown more severe due to vulnerabilities in the electricity infrastructure, much of which is inadequately maintained and exposed to damage from forestry plantations. According to ESB Networks, Storm Darragh impacted approximately 395,000 customers, with some facing a week without power. However, the delays were worsened by ineffective resource management, as well as the inefficient deployment of local crews.
Workers shared accounts of being left idle for hours awaiting instructions or being dispatched without the necessary equipment to resolve issues. My own reconnection, which took less than 30 minutes to complete, was de-prioritised for days despite its simplicity (one tree – two people-one lift for hire solved the issue). I was without electricity for a week!
The media often neglects the chaos and dangers these outages bring. Vulnerable customers, including those dependent on medical devices, received little to no support, were provided with inaccurate reconnection information. Emergency services failed to provide essentials such as generators, drinking water, or heating solutions for isolated communities. Even the token meal offering was inaccessible to many.
Trevor White: It’s embarrassing how we Irish fawn over the super-rich, from Michael O’Leary to JP McManus
Christmas - and the perfect family life it represents - is an oppressive fantasy
The Big Irish Times Quiz of 2024
Donald Trump is changing America in ways that will reverberate long after he is dead
As a vulnerable customer, I received four text messages stating electricity would not be restored that night, contradicting assurances from the emergency helpline earlier in the day that power would return imminently. This conflicting and inaccurate communication made it impossible for me to make informed decisions regarding my safety and wellbeing.
Clear and reliable updates are critical for vulnerable households to make alternative arrangements or reduce risks during extended outages. Instead, the lack of accurate information left many, including myself, enduring freezing temperatures, no running water, and unsanitary conditions without any means to prepare.
While ESB workers and contractors did their best under challenging conditions, the management of the response was seriously flawed. The absence of prioritisation, resources for quick fixes, and effective public communication reflected poor crisis planning. Furthermore, Ireland’s ageing energy infrastructure, with exposed lines susceptible to adverse weather, underscores the urgent need for long-term upgrades to ensure resilience against future storms. – Yours, etc,
SUSAN ANTHONY,
Ballymote,
Co Sligo.