Ongoing and sporadic power outages affecting an estimated 7,000 homes and businesses across north Galway have sparked serious concern among elected representatives, who say the situation is placing vulnerable residents at real risk.
The issue was raised at last week’s meeting of Ballinasloe Municipal District, where councillors from across the area voiced frustration at the frequency of electricity failures and called on ESB Networks to urgently engage with local representatives.
The outages are impacting communities across Kilkerrin, Clonberne, Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Mountbellew, as well as areas stretching into the Tuam Municipal District. Councillors shared reports of damaged nursing home equipment, people with disabilities left without essential medical supports, parents unable to prepare baby formula, and households losing water and telecommunications when electricity supply fails.
Opening the discussion, Cllr Declan Geraghty said, “What in the name of God is going on with the ESB? There have been more than 20 outages in these areas over the past year, with some experiencing three power outages across a length of 10 days. Something has gone dramatically wrong.”
He warned that when power goes in parts of rural Galway, “everything just dies”, including water and phone services. “What if there was an accident?” he asked, highlighting the danger posed to isolated households.
Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Municipal District, Cllr Peter Keaveney, said he has been inundated with calls from constituents. “Even since Christmas, homes are losing power regularly,” he said.
Cllr Keaveney described a recent conversation with the manager of Clonberne Nursing Home. “Even with generators, there is a 30 second power surge when the changeover happens that is costing them a fortune and affecting equipment that residents rely on. When the power goes, we don’t know if it is gone for one hour or 12.”
He pointed to the long-standing Glenamaddy power line as a major source of disruption, noting that the infrastructure was installed “60 or 70 years ago” and is long overdue replacement. “The ESB needs to come to the table about this one. We need to meet with ESB management. This is a total mess,” he said.
Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons said she had also been contacted by residents in Mountbellew, where outages of up to 14 hours were reported in recent days. “People are trying to work from home, people are trying to make baby formula. These are people who subscribed fully to green energy housing,” she said.
“What happens to people who need pumps, or oxygen, or use an electric bed? It is not acceptable in this day and age.”
Cllr Michael Connolly said councillors were “getting it on the neck from the public”, but stressed the need for ESB Networks to address ageing infrastructure. He also noted the additional risks coming into lambing season, alongside the needs of people with disabilities and elderly residents.
Several councillors highlighted the failure to clear trees near power lines, with Cllr Keaveney saying that, more than 12 months after Storm Éowyn, dangerous trees remain in place. “ESB crews will tell you their hearts are broken,” he added, but said action was still required.
Cllr Geraghty also linked the issue to wider concerns about rural neglect. “There is a continued hollowing out of rural Ireland. We need to shout out with a combined voice.”
The council agreed to formally write to ESB Networks seeking urgent engagement, with councillors warning that tens of thousands of euro worth of equipment has already been damaged and that vulnerable lives remain at risk if outages continue.
