Kildare households left without power and water for a week 

WITH the wrath of Storm Éowyn well behind a lot of us Kildare, many areas took much longer to resume their normal water and electrical supply.

A great deal of Robertstown residents were still without power and water a week after the storm, struggling to meet daily needs and keep their houses warm. According to residents, there has been a lack of relief efforts provided for Robertstown with many struggling to carry on with usual daily routines, particularly the elderly in the area.

While Irish Water responded to Robertstown by installing a water tanker, many residents were disheartened to discover that the water provided could only be used for flushing toilets, as it would need to be boiled for drinking. With most households experiencing power outages as well as water outages, residents had no capability of boiling the tanker water.

Robertstown GAA were kind enough to open their doors to those affected in the community, providing a warm place to get a cup of tea, charge phones and use showers. Likewise, Robertstown Tidy Towns’ Facebook page has been a handy resource for those still affected and seeking information, showing incredible community care: “We have been keeping people informed and checking in," it said. “Collectively and collaboratively the community came together,” it added. With the climate crisis well advanced at this stage, Robertstown Tidy Towns displayed worry about future outages: “The Government should have had an action plan. The army was a resource that was not utilsed,” it said. Despite everything, Robertstown has shown excellent community spirit in gathering together: “When we work together we get things done,” said Robertstown Tidy Towns.