Kildare volunteers worked to help areas worst hit by storm

Newbridge councillor Tom McDonnell organised a group of volunteers to assist vulnerable people in the west of Ireland who were impacted by the worst effects of Storm Éowyn.

Some residents in those areas experienced power outages in the aftermath of the storm, which lasted for up to 21 days .The volunteers collected €2,000 euros through their own contributions. 

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Cllr McDonnell also contacted businesses in the Newbridge/Naas area.

“We received great support from McLoughlins Oil,  Newbridge, Moore’s Builders Providers, Newbridge and Quinns of Naas. These businesses donated coal, gas ,cookers, camping stoves, kettles, battery lights, torches, candles and food baskets", said Cllr McDonnell. They also raised money via a GoFundMe fundraising platform. Their efforts were concentrated on a number of venues in counties Mayo and Roscommon including Oran and Ballaghadereen.

The Roscommon Herald newspaper reported that some people in Ballaghdereen had been left “destitute” in the wake of the storm and the town was visited by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

According to the Herald, local councillor and fire station officer Micheál Frain called for a statutory inquiry to investigate the aftermath of the extreme weather event.