Streetlamps erected almost two years ago in Durrow have yet to be connected to power by ESB, a Laois Councillor has slammed.

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney caused rumbles of discontent in a recent sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick District, when he highlighted that streetlights installed on Durrow's Swan Road over 18 months ago have yet to be connected by ESB.

"The lights are up 18 to 19 months, they look lovely in the daytime when the sun is shining, unfortunately there are not lighting, and people have to walk in the dark," Cllr Clooney said.

Pictured: Durrow's Swan Road. Photo: Maps

"I am proposing that a letter go to the ESB, because 18 months without light is unacceptable. It's just not good enough. Who's getting it in the head, the neck and the back? It's Ollie Clooney," Cllr Clooney said.

"All the lights are up there but they'll never be lit. I'm pissed off of it, we're into the second winter of this and it's dark. We all know it's dark out at 8pm, and it will be getting darker and darker," he argued.

"I don't care how busy the ESB is, they have to come and do the work that they were supposed to do here, and turn on the lights. That's a simple request. Time is of the essence here," he said.

"I'm worn out trying, it's falling on deaf ears. I'm prepared to organise a bus of people from Durrow to the ESB, I'll do it. The bottom line is, the lights have to be turned on immediately," he said.

Mountmellick Fianna Fáíl Cllr Paddy Bracken supported Cllr Clooney in this correspondence, questioning the level of service provided by the Council's lighting contractors. 

Last February, Cllr Bracken slammed contractors for 'delays and poor service'.

Uproar: Public lighting in Laois is 'disgraceful', contractors 'need to be sacked'

"I support Cllr Clooney, that is very frustrating," Cllr Bracken empathised.

"Is the level of service going to improve this year from our lighting contractors? There are lights still out all over the place, I don't know what is going on," he said.

"It's very unfair on us, there are lights out and something has to be done, I don't care what it is. Are we back with the same contractor?" Cllr Bracken questioned.

Director of Services Ms Angela McEvoy replied that she will follow up on Cllr Bracken's query.

"There was a new house built on that road, and four lorries came and turned on the lights. They left that evening and the street lights were still out," Cllr Clooney said.

"I will be out as a one-man picket, and I will. I'll be up and down and I'm prepared to stay there until something is done," he finished.

This correspondence was tabled at the September sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District. 

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