Latest news with #Fitzmaurice
Agriland
7 days ago
- Climate
- Agriland
Fitzmaurice: Fallen trees cause power failures after 'mild storm'
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called on the government to take immediate action on removing trees near electricity lines. The TD was speaking in the aftermath of Storm Floris, which left around 10,000 homes, farms and businesses without power yesterday (Monday, July 4) after gusts of nearly 100km/hr. ESB Networks confirmed that figure had fallen to approximately 2,700 customers by 5:00p.m. Deputy Fitzmaurice said the "light storm" left residents in the west of Ireland without electricity once again. He said the Ballinlough area had seen electricity lines fall, leaving homes without power just six months after new infrastructure had been installed. 'This is not acceptable. People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting," he said. The Roscommon-Galway TD called on Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien to issue "a clear instruction on tree cutting". He claimed that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem. "The ESB now needs to take this by the scruff of the neck and once and for all decide what they're doing and what they're not doing,' he said. The TD urged the government to 'forget about what people are objecting to' and take decisive action to remove all trees near to power lines. "They must be taken out it's that simple, whatever the distance is required get it done to put an end to this once and for all. 'It's way past time that a stop is put to this codswallop. Get out there and cut them trees and this will not happen again," Fitzmaurice added. The TD said it is "sickening" to see new power lines which were only put up six months ago being "flattened". "When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?' he said.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Climate
- Agriland
ESB: 200 customers still without power after Storm Floris
Customers remain without power after the storm ESB Networks has confirmed that approximately 200 customers remain impacted by power outages today, August 5, 2025, due to Storm Floris. Yesterday morning, Monday, August 4, around 10,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power due to the storm. According to the ESB Networks, the main areas still affected include Sligo, Tuam, Ennis, and Athlone. A spokesperson for the ESB Networks said that crews continue to work to restore power in the affected areas. "We apologise to all homes, farms, and business impacted for the inconvenience caused," the spokesperson said. "If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous." "Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999," the spokesperson added.. Separately, Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice called on the government to take immediate action on removing trees near electricity lines. Speaking in the aftermath of the storm yesterday, August 4, Deputy Fitzmaurice said that the Ballinlough area had seen electricity lines fall, leaving homes without power just six months after new infrastructure had been installed. 'This is not acceptable. People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting," he said. The Roscommon-Galway TD called on Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien to issue "a clear instruction on tree cutting". He claimed that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem. "The ESB now needs to take this by the scruff of the neck and once and for all decide what they're doing and what they're not doing,' he said. The TD urged the government to 'forget about what people are objecting to' and take decisive action to remove all trees near to power lines. The TD said it is "sickening" to see new power lines which were only put up six months ago being "flattened". "When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?' he said.
Irish Independent
05-08-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Homes in Roscommon still without power following Storm Floris
Today (Tuesday, August 5), 100 homes in Ballinlough, County Roscommon are still without power due to the storm, which struck in the early hours of Monday morning. The ESB estimates power will be restored to these premises by 2pm. Over 10,000 homes and businesses lost power when the storm swept across the west coast of Ireland with gusts of up to 100kmh. Mr Fitzmaurice said that power lines which had been installed in his constituency six months ago had been flattened again by what he called 'a mere blow of wind'. 'This is not acceptable,' he said. 'People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting.' The Independent Ireland TD has called on Minister Darragh O'Brien to issue a 'clear instruction on tree cutting', claiming that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem. Trees can only be felled by those who possess a tree felling license – except in cases where a tree poses a road safety hazard. Numerous trees were felled around the country following Storm Éowyn back in January in the interests of road safety. Mr Fitzmaurice called on Minister O'Brien to issue direct instructions to the ESB to remove all trees near power lines. 'They must be taken out. It's that simple, whatever the distance is required, get it done to put an end to this once and for all,' said Mr Fitzmaurice. 'It's way past time that a stop is put to this codswallop. Get out there and cut them trees and this will not happen again. 'It is sickening to see new power lines that were only put up six months ago flattened again today. When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?'
Irish Daily Mirror
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Who is commentating for RTE on today's All-Ireland football final?
The intercounty GAA season ends today with the clash between Kerry and Donegal in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final. Kerry come into this game as slight favourites, however, Donegal are just marginal underdogs in a game that is well and truly too close to call. The game will be subject to massive media coverage and is being broadcast simultaneously on both RTE and the BBC. Darragh Maloney and Eamonn Fitzmaurice will be the men behind the mic in the gantry for RTE this afternoon, with Damian Lawlor providing pitchside analysis throughout the day. Longtime RTE presenter Maloney has emerged as the voice of gaelic football on the National broadcaster, with Marty Morrissey his counterpart in the hurling. And in Fitzmaurice, RTE have a man well positioned to give his thoughts on the game, with Fitzmaurice forming a part of the Football Rules Committee (FRC) which has shaped the game this season. He was also manager when Kerry and Donegal last met in an All-Ireland final, when the Kingdom won back in 2014. Writing in the Irish Examiner ahead of the game, Fitzmaurice said: "From a Kerry perspective they will have to get a lot right, the norm to win a final. Everyone will have to play well, they will need to tie down the Michaels (Murphy and Langan) and the O'Donnells (Shane and Conor) and they will need to get an impact from the bench, including springing a marker for Patrick McBrearty when he is introduced. "To win, the Munster champions will also have to excel in attacking against Donegal's zone, defending their runners and breaking even on Shaun Patton's kickouts. "Donegal's greatest strength so far can be their biggest weakness - in my opinion. Their zonal defensive setup has worked so far, getting them to an All-Ireland final and winning Ulster. "I have long felt it won't win Sam, and I am about to get my answer, one way or the other."
Irish Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry produced 'some of their best ever football in Croker,' says Kingdom legend
Kerry's sharpshooters have been showered with praise by the best pundit in Gaelic football. Eamonn Fitzmaurice's name is synonymous with the Kingdom after his involvement in FIVE of their All-Ireland wins as a player, manager and selector. Now his job is to assess the tactical trends in football as the sport adjusts to new rules that were drawn up by Jim Gavin and his FRC committee, which Fitzmaurice sat on. Read more: David Clifford relationship with girlfriend Shauna, son Oigi and day job Read more: Armagh victory means 'absolutely nothing' unless we win Sam, says unsung Kerry hero Those rule changes have clearly benefited Kerry more than most as they were able to post 0-32 against Armagh on Sunday, dethroning the All-Ireland champs at the quarter-final stage. And that led to Fitzy making an incredible claim - suggesting Kerry's second-half display when they scored 14 unanswered points in a 15 minute spell - was the BEST he has ever seen from the 38-times All-Ireland champs. Fitzmaurice said: 'That 15-minute spell in the second half was breathtaking. In fact I would go so far as to say it was some of the best football any Kerry team has ever played in Croke Park. 'I was proud of the players and of the approach of the management team and the fact there were so many supporters there. They really rallied behind the team. The numbers who travelled up were incredible and it is not often that this happens in Kerry. 'It was great and you could see what it meant to the lads afterwards. The players then responded by delivering an amazing performance. 'The last couple of weeks have been good for them because it has brought out an edge in them. The trick now is to get back to those heights again which will be a challenge.' Few saw that 'edge' when they were comprehensively beaten by Meath in the group stages in Tullamore just over two weeks ago. But a swift response against Cavan preceded Sunday's demolition job on the reigning All-Ireland champs, a win which Fitzmaurice believes has galvanised the county. Speaking on the RTE GAA podcast, Fitzmaurice said: 'The journey back on Sunday had a feeling of a tribe coming back from a satisfying day out. There was a connection between the fans and the team.' It felt like the Kingdom had struck back. Fitzy said: 'I was not as down in the dumps as others about the Meath defeat because while it was not a vintage Kerry performance that day, you have to give Meath enormous credit for playing so outstandingly well. 'I had faith in them to do a job and when you are on a panel and are training all year long, you are seeking to get a chance. And lads such as Mark O'Shea, who only made his debut this summer, Evan Looney and Sean O'Brien took their chances. 'There comes a time in every player's career when you either do it or you don't. I would have had faith in those fellas doing a job. 'The Meath game turned up the heat down here. They were cranky and angry within the group. And that needed to come out.' It wasn't the only thing that came out in the post-match discussions with Kerry boss, Jack O'Connor, lashing out at the team's critics. "I was surprised because generally after a win like that, Jack is effusive," Fitzmaurice said. "I'd say on a human level he was hurt. I know he had a small bit of a nibble after the Cavan game last weekend, but he obviously decided this week that he was going to unleash the double barrel. "He had his say, and probably feels better for it today. 'It obviously hurt him otherwise he wouldn't have said it.' All of which leads to a reunion with Tyrone, the Ulster team who proved to be Kerry's bogey side during Fitzmaurice's playing days, when the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final and 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland deciders, ended in Mickey Harte's favour. Harte has since moved on but so has the rivalry. While Kerry defeated Tyrone in the 2012 and 2023 Championships, Fitzmaurice feels the 2021 All-Ireland semi-final win is more relevant to next weekend's latest instalment of a major rivalry. Fitzmaurice says: 'When I was managing, I always really enjoyed going against the Ulster teams because you were always going to be tested to the hilt, tactically as well as physically. 'The Kerry lads will draw on the 2021 game rather than the 2023 one. In 2023, Kerry really had a cause and Sean O'Shea led Kerry that day. In 2021, I feel a lot of players left a big opportunity behind them.' That is certainly the overriding emotion in Armagh right now following their second half meltdown on Saturday, a defeat analysed succinctly by Fitzmaurice's fellow RTE pundit, Lee Keegan. Yet the former Mayo ace still believes there is another All-Ireland within Armagh. He said: 'Rian O'Neill was a shadow of himself; the half back line never got into the game; Kerry had their homework done on them. 'The one thing about Armagh is their age profile is good. 'Kieran McGeeney has a lot to work with. Armagh still gave us the best games this year but they ran out of road against a very good Kerry team.'
