Council in clash with Eir over poles

€6,500 to have two poles removed - work took 16 months

Cavan County Council is on a collision course with Eir after it emerged that a complaint has been lodged with the communications regulator over ongoing issues about the removal of dangerous poles.

The fact that the local authority paid over €6,500 to have two poles moved - only to wait 16 month for the work to happen - sparked outrage at a meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District meeting last week.

After receiving representations about road safety concerns in relation to two Eir poles along the L2510 at Dernaferst, Cavan County Council approached the network operator requesting the poles’ removal. Having been initially quoted approximately €11,000 +VAT to move one pole, both parties eventually agreed a price of €6,533.33 to have both poles removed, which was paid by the local authority in October 2024.

The poles were only removed by Eir this month, following ongoing correspondence from the local authority over a period of several months.

Senior Executive Engineer John McGahern described the issue as ongoing and deeply frustrating. He said attempts to contact Eir directly often involved waiting up to 30 minutes on the phone, with little result. He confirmed that he has since filed complaints with ComReg to establish why the delay occurred.

He further criticised what he described as a lack of transparency from Eir regarding responsibility for poles, overhanging trees, and maintenance. Mr McGahern insisted that, contrary to information that had been circulated, requirements for a permit from the council are not responsible for delays in pole repair or replacement at any location.

Quoting Section 58 of the Communications Act 2002, Mr McGahern clarified that responsibility for maintaining and clearing obstructions from telecommunications infrastructure lies solely with the network operator.

The legislation allows operators to enter land, cut obstructing trees, and even reimburse landowners who carry out such work themselves.

Providing clarification, Mr McGahern added that Eir does not require council permission to replace or erect poles.

“The pole is the asset of a private company,” he said, further underscoring the council’s frustration over delays and costs in addressing what they see as clear safety hazards.

Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) highlighted the growing number of partially fallen and overhanging Eir poles across the county, warning that they pose a clear risk to road users. He said the problem has worsened over the years, with little action taken by Eir to resolve it.

One particular pole in the parish of Finea, he claimed, had been hanging over a roadway for five to six years, forcing trucks to alter their routes. But not only here, all over the county, haulage companies have lodged complaints. Cllr Bennett said it is “a mess that needs to be cleared”.

His party colleague Trevor Smith echoed the concerns, pointing out that school buses and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are frequently forced into dangerous situations, with drivers unsure whether to strike an overhanging pole or veer into oncoming traffic.

Cllrs Noel Connell (SF) and T.P. O’Reilly (FG) also called for urgent action.

Following the debate at the local MD meeting, Eir were contacted for comment but had not yet responded at the time of going to print.