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21 Jan 2026
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21 Jan 2026
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Pictured: The e-car charging unit in The Square, Rathdowney
A Laois town received two new charging units for electric cars last November, yet the units have not been connected to a power line.
Local electric car owners have not been able to use these units in the five months they have been installed in Rathdowney's square.
Rathdowney Fine Gael Cllr John King spearheaded the installation of these units, and has asked the Council to take action.
"There was a charging unit installed in the square in Rathdowney some months ago, I want to ask you when you think it will be linked up and able to use?" Cllr King asked.
Pictured: Cllr John King with the e-car charging units that were installed in early November, 2024.
Mr Rory O'Callaghan, Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council, replied that he will contact those responsible for installing the units.
"I will contact those who installed the units, I think that the ESB are waiting on them to provide a completion certificate before they will connect it," Mr O'Callaghan said.
Independent Cllr James Kelly has slammed the installation of these units, calling them 'eyesores' that take up necessary parking spaces.
"Can I just say that there was a charging unit installed in Mountrath, and I think that they are an abomination," Cllr Kelly said.
"I know that we need them, but the problem is the locations that they have been installed in Mountrath and Rathdowney. Especially in Mountrath, where we had the time parking that came in, and suddenly these charging points came in," he said.
"It looks like something out of star trek, and it's taking up two car parking spaces when it could've been put into a public car park," Cllr Kelly argued.
"I think where they are installing these units is a disgrace. There is no thought or planning gone into it. It takes away from the whole look of the towns, when we are trying to improve and upgrade them," he finished.
This motion was tabled at the March sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.
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