Offaly residents warned of planned ESB power outages for 'urgent repairs'

ESB Networks have confirmed that a number of planned power outages will take place in Tullamore in the coming weeks.

One of these will occur on Thursday, 18 January in order to support the future installation of broadband infrastructure in Tullamore and surrounding parts. This will affect customers in areas including Marian Place and O'Molloy Street.

There are also planned outages scheduled for Monday, 15 January and  Tuesday, 16 January, as part of the same project, which will affect customers in areas such as Charleville Road and Kilcruttin.

All customers impacted by planned outages will be notified in advance via post, the spokesperson said.

Houses in O'Molloy Street and Marian Place are facing a possible 9 hour disruption. 

Houses in these areas received a note this week informing them that there will be an electricity supply interruption from 7 am until 4 pm to facilitate repairs on January 18th. 

"We regret that in order to carry out urgent work in your area, it will be necessary to interrupt your supply of electricity on the dates and times shown below. These times are approximate," the note to households reads. 

The ESB also warned customers to regard the connection to their house as being live during outages, as electricity supply may be restored at any time, sometimes for brief periods, while work is being carried out. 

The timing of the possible outage has been criticised by residents, particularly if it begins at 7am, when residents are getting ready to go to work and school. 

It comes after a bird strike was confirmed as the cause of a power outage to thousands of homes in Tullamore on Christmas day.

An ESB spokesperson confirmed that the significant power outage which affected approximately 4,400 customers on Christmas morning in the Tullamore area was caused by a bird strike on a line feeding an area of the town.

"Crews mobilised immediately and supply was restored to all customers just after midday," the spokesperson said.

 "ESB Networks apologises for the inconvenience caused".