'Huge number' of Offaly public lights out of order

The Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council has hit out at the service provider responsible for the maintenance and repair of public lighting in Offaly.

Fianna Fail Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick says the service is totally insufficient and requires immediate attention due to the huge number of public street lights that are currently out of operation causing concern for elderly people and pedestrians across the region.

This problem has been raised by members at Municipal District and full Council meetings for over twelve months now and still the service provider continues to fail in restoring public lighting, he said.

Cllr Fitzpatrick says the Gracefield area of Portarlington is one such area that has up to four or five lights out in a row leaving a complete stretch of road without lighting which he said was "totally unacceptable at this time of the year".

"I have been in contact with Offaly County Council's roads section who have responsibility for the provision of public lighting and who advised me they are in negotiation with the contractor that provides the repair service on an ongoing basis," he said.