Army deployed to assist in water crisis

The army has been deployed today to help deliver water to the crisis hit areas of East and South East Meath.

 Meath County Council with the assistance of Irish Water has already deployed all available resources including Fire and Emergency Service, Civil Defence, outdoor staff, water and wastewater caretakers, drivers, engineering and technical staff and administrative staff in order to respond to the current water outages

The council has confirmed  that personnel from the Defence Forces are being made available from today to assist at the various locations where water stations are located.

Water storage units at designated stations continue to be replenished on an ongoing basis throughout affected areas.   

Yesterday, Minister Eoghan Murphy visited the scene and met with council officials, Irish water, the land owner where the pipe has burst and public representatives.

Cllr Paddy Meade said he found the ministers intervention very productive and while the council, emergency, and voluntary services are doing a great job, the serious issue of the delay has to be looked at and the Minister committed to reviewall aspects of this once complete.

'He gave great encouragement regarding getting a new pipe constructed the full 2.2k from Roughgrange to Staleen.

'The minister said this was the worst water leak in the history of Irish water and  this had to be a priority.'