Latest news with #NíMhurchú
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
20pc increase in power cuts in Wicklow with defective equipment and bird strikes causing some of the outages
Figures provided to MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show significant year on year increases in power cuts across Ireland between 2021 and 2024, with ESB's Arklow region power supply showing 1,725 power cuts in the wider Wicklow area in 2024, up from 1,433 in 2023 and 1,256 in 2021. There were 64,754 power cuts across Ireland in 2024, both planned and unplanned outages, representing a 22pc increase on 2023, where we had 53,067 power cuts. Between 2021 and 2024, we have seen a 40pc increase in the number of power cuts, both planned and unplanned, across Ireland. ESB Networks also provided MEP Ní Mhurchú with a breakdown of the reasons for the power cuts which included bird strikes, weather issues, lightening, overhead refurbishment, overloading, and corrosion. Of more concern was the large increase in power cuts which were attributed to 'defective equipment'. Raising significant concerns about ESB Networks performance in relation to power cuts faced by domestic and business customers across Ireland, MEP Ní Mhurchú has called on ESB Networks to clarify why there is a 22pc jump, for a new system of compensation for householders and small businesses for outages lasting more than 12 hours and said that customers should not be charged for standing charges and levies when the power it out. 'The CRU, our regulator, has raised significant concerns about ESBN's performance in relation to unplanned outages and customer interruptions fining the utility millions for missing clearly set down targets,' Ní Mhurchú said. 'The ESB is a profitable company that should be prioritising increased investment in our electricity grid. 'My worry is that ESB Networks may be trying to cut costs by not investing in our electricity infrastructure to the extent that they should be. Power cuts have an enormous impact on families, in particular as many homes are now passive homes that depend on heat pumps and don't have open fires or stoves. 'Customers deserve an explanation as to why they are facing more power cuts when they are paying the second highest electricity prices in Europe. The least Irish customers deserve is more investment in the infrastructure that delivers that electricity'
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Surge in power cuts leave Kerry residents in the dark as ESB is asked for answers
The ESB manage supply through what's known as 'planner groups' of which there are 34 in total that are linked to counties. The Killarney planner group recorded a 43 per cent increase in power cuts between 2023 and 2024 – a jump from 1,612 in 2023 to 2,308 in 2024. The Tralee planner group recorded a 15 per cent increase in power cuts for the same period, going from 1,558 to 1,796. It's thought the outages would also have impacted large numbers of properties on the outskirts of Kerry's two largest towns. Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, has raised what she calls 'significant concerns' about ESB Networks performance in relation to power cuts faced by domestic and business customers across Ireland. Figures provided to Ms Ní Mhurchú by ESB Networks under Freedom of Information show significant year on year increases in power cuts across Ireland between 2021 and 2024. She wants ESB Networks to clarify why there is a 22 per cent jump in power outages across the country between 2023 and 2024, saying a new system of compensation for householders and small businesses for outages lasting more than 12 hours should not be charged for standing charges and levies when the power is out. 'My worry is that ESB Networks may be trying to cut costs by not investing in our electricity infrastructure to the extent that they should be,' she said. "Power cuts have an enormous impact on families, in particular as many homes are now passive homes that depend on heat pumps and don't have open fires or stoves,' she added. Ms Ní Mhurchú said customers deserve an explanation as to why they are facing more power cuts when they are paying the second highest electricity prices in Europe. "The least Irish customers deserve is more investment in the infrastructure that delivers that electricity,' she said. There were 64,754 power cuts across Ireland in 2024, both planned and unplanned outages representing a 22 per cent increase on 2023 where Ireland had 53,067 power cuts. Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland has seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of power cuts, both planned and unplanned.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Almost €2,000 collected by Wexford District Court from defendants who skipped bail
Nationally, 562 people who were before the district courts last year decided to skip bail and, as a result, the courts collected almost €170,000 in forfeited bail money. These figures were released by Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú who has backed Micheál Martin's commitment to further reform bail laws in Ireland and said she supports an overhaul of Ireland's bail system. Dublin topped the poll of bail skippers. The Dublin district courts held onto over €80,000 as 334 people skipped bail and didn't show up for the court dates in 2024. Cork city by comparisons only had 7 people skip bail in the district court in 2024. 71 people failed to turn up for district court appearances in Wicklow in 2024 and the Bray district court office collected €18,690 in forfeited bail money. Ní Mhurchú said that a cohort of defendants in court, most of them in Dublin, clearly feel like they are above the law. 'This seems to be an acute issue in the Dublin district courts. Fianna Fáil is committed to building a victim-centred criminal justice system and strengthening our bail laws to ensure that courts will refuse bail if an accused is likely to commit another serious offence on bail. I am confident that Minister Jim 'O'Callaghan will bring the necessary reforms in this area' The figures follow revelations in March of this year that criminals on bail were suspected of having carried out 40,348 crimes in 2024 across Ireland. Ní Mhurchú said it is time for a get tough approach on those who are flaunting Irelands bail laws. Ní Mhurchú pointed out that year on year over the past three years, the number of people skipping bail is falling and she welcomed that. For example, 717 people skipped bail in our district court system in 2022. Any forfeited bail money goes back to the Irish exchequer.
Dublin Live
20-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Over 300 people skipped bail in Dublin in 2024
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over 300 people skipped bail and didn't show up in court in Dublin last year. The capital topped the list of bail skippers, with the Dublin district courts holding onto over €80,000 after 334 people didn't show up for court dates in 2024. A whopping 562 people skipped bail in Ireland's district courts last year. Calls have been made for an overhaul of Ireland's bail system by Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. She was speaking after figures were released to her by the Courts Service of Ireland, showing that the Irish district court system alone collected almost €170,000 in forfeited bail money. Cork city only had 7 people skip bail in the district court in 2024. 71 people failed to turn up for district court appearances in Wicklow in 2024 and the Bray district court office collected €18,690 in forfeited bail money. 10 people skipped bail in the Cavan district courts in 2024 meaning the court kept over €8,000 euro in bail money. Here's the full list: District court office Total bail money forfeited in 2024 No of people who skipped out on bail Dublin €80,000 334 Bray €18,690 71 Dundalk €7,527 32 Trim €4,400 26 Monaghan €3,210 13 Naas €22,250 12 Cavan €8,710 10 Wexford €1,850 7 Cork City €1,700 7 Ms Ní Mhurchú said: "This seems to be an acute issue in the Dublin district courts. Fianna Fáil is committed to building a victim-centred criminal justice system and strengthening our bail laws to ensure that courts will refuse bail if an accused is likely to commit another serious offence on bail. I am confident that Minister Jim O'Callaghan will bring the necessary reforms in this area." The figures follow revelations in March of this year that criminals on bail were suspected of having carried out 40,348 crimes in 2024 across Ireland. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Irish Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
562 people skipped bail in Irish district courts throughout 2024, figures show
A staggering 562 people skipped bail in Irish district courts throughout 2024 alone, new figures released by Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú have shown. The figures released to the MEP by the courts service of Ireland show that the Irish District court system alone collected almost €170,000 in forfeited bail money when 562 people who were before the district courts decided to skip bail and not turn up in court in 2024. Ní Mhurchú emphasised that these figures are for the district court alone and circuit and higher court figures were unavailable to her. Dublin topped the poll of bail skippers. The Dublin district courts held onto over €80,000 as 334 people skipped bail and didn't show up for the court dates in 2024. Cork city by comparison only had seven people skip bail in the district court in 2024. 71 people failed to turn up for district court appearances in Wicklow in 2024 and the Bray district court office collected €18,690 in forfeited bail money. 10 people skipped bail in the Cavan district courts in 2024 meaning the court kept over €8,000 euro in bail money. Other district court offices with a relatively high number of people skipping bail in 2024 were Bray (71), Dundalk (32), Trim (26) and Monaghan (13). District court office Total bail money forfeited in 2024 No of people who skipped out on bail €7,527 €4,400 €3,210 Naas €22,250 12 €8,710 Wexford €1,850 Cork City €1,700 Ní Mhurchú said that a cohort of defendants in court, most of them in Dublin, clearly feel like they are above the law as she backed Micheál Martin's commitment to further reform bail laws in Ireland and said she supports an overhaul of Ireland's bail system. She said: 'This seems to be an acute issue in the Dublin district courts. Fianna Fáil is committed to building a victim-centred criminal justice system and strengthening our bail laws to ensure that courts will refuse bail if an accused is likely to commit another serious offence on bail. 'I am confident that Minister Jim 'O'Callaghan will bring the necessary reforms in this area' The figures follow revelations in March of this year that criminals on bail were suspected of having carried out 40,348 crimes in 2024 across Ireland. Ní Mhurchú said it is time for a 'get tough' approach on those who are flaunting Ireland's bail laws. Ní Mhurchú pointed out that year on year over the past three years, the number of people skipping bail is falling and she welcomed that. For example, 717 people skipped bail in our district court system in 2022.
