Kilkenny Councillors Criticize Contractors for Local Disruptions

Councillors in the Castlecomer Municipal District have expressed strong disapproval of the behaviour exhibited by contractors engaged in local works for Kilkenny County Council. The issue was brought to attention by Cllr Michael McCarthy during the monthly council meeting in November. He highlighted growing public dissatisfaction in the Lisdowney area due to ongoing disruptions caused by ESB Grid Connection works.

Cllr McCarthy raised concerns regarding the quality of the work and the impact it has had on residents. He stated, “People have been prevented from gaining access to their own private homes.” The councillor emphasized the alarming inconvenience and lack of communication from contractors, noting that there were instances when local residents were unable to access their homes for several days due to excavation activities.

“The disregard for people going about their daily business is not acceptable,” Cllr McCarthy continued. He urged the local authority to refrain from issuing any further licenses until the area engineer can ensure that the quality of future works meets an acceptable standard.

The sentiments expressed by Cllr McCarthy were echoed by other councillors in North Kilkenny. Cllr Michael Delaney commented on the “completely lacking” communication from contractors, while Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh described the situation as “appalling.” Additionally, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick criticized the quality of work, suggesting the creation of a “naughty list” for underperforming contractors.

In response to the councillors’ concerns, a spokesperson for Kilkenny County Council stated that they have met with the contractors involved and stressed the importance of improving communication moving forward. This response indicates an awareness of the issues raised and a commitment to addressing the concerns of local residents.

As the situation develops, the councillors and community members will be watching closely to see whether these commitments translate into tangible improvements in the quality of work and communication from the contractors involved. The residents of the Lisdowney area deserve a resolution that prioritizes their access to homes and daily routines, and it remains to be seen how the council will ensure this moving forward.