Eir hits out at cable thieves

A number of recent incidents have seen cables stolen.

Eir has criticised those behind a recent spate of thefts of phone wires across the region.

The company today issued a statement saying the ongoing incidents are "having a detrimental impact on people, homes and communities".

Incidents have been reported in south Monaghan and Louth in recent weeks, with almost 1,000 people, mostly living in rural locations, being impacted in the last six months.

More than 12 kilometres of telecommunications cables and copper wires have been stolen and it's resulted in local residents losing their telephone lines and broadband and connected services, including emergency medical alert systems.

Una Stafford, Managing Director, open eir: "We are asking the public in the Louth and Monaghan areas to be vigilant as the destructive nature of these crimes can have far reaching consequences. We need our telecommunications infrastructure to stay connected and this is even more important for those people living in rural locations, for older people and for people who are medically vulnerable.

"Particularly now, when we are still living with Covid-19 health and safety restrictions. The open eir team does not work under the hours of darkness, unless there is an emergency. If you see anything suspicious, such as workers cutting cables during the hours of darkness, please do not approach but contact your local Garda station."