STORM Éowyn, which struck a devastating blow when it hit Irish soil back in January causing widespread destruction and bringing the country to a standstill, has put the wind up one local councillor.
After what was deemed a “dangerous, destructive” weather event, and among the most severe storms Ireland has ever witnessed, Fianna Fáil woman Catherine Slattery had forward planning on her mind at February’s Metropolitan District meeting.
On the back of recent storms, Cllr Slattery believed it was time the local authority looked at setting up a humanitarian hub on the Southside of the city.
“We are experiencing very bad weather in Ireland in winter with many storms and sometimes snow. Water and electricity are lost during times of extremely bad weather and people and communities are left with no facilities in their homes,” she said.
“The government have set up a humanitarian aid scheme and an emergency response hub in Ireland, and so far there’s only emergency hubs in Donegal. During our most recent storm in January, many homes were left without power in Limerick.”
The City East representative went on to tell the Council executive that she had been approached by Janesboro FC, who wish to be put forward locally as an emergency hub.
“Janesboro FC have all the facilities required and are in a very central location and I support the offer of using their club as an emergency hub due to the extremely bad weather we experienced,” Cllr Slattery explained.
The Fianna Fáil councillor called on the Council to get more information about the scheme and register Janesboro FC and any other club in Limerick that may be interested in providing this service.
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan seconded the motion, saying that “this is really timely, and I think to have that central hub in times of emergency and in times of crisis, would be very welcome”.
