Farmers praised in Dail by Limerick TD for their storm efforts

DEPUTY Richard O’Donoghue has praised the collective work of people in communities across county Limerick during the recent weather incidents. 

Only for such volunteerism, more people would have lost their lives, claimed the  TD.

“In our community, we had a tragic death,” he told the Dáil. 

“Sadly, there would have been more deaths if it were not for the efforts of the local people, backed up by Limerick council, search and rescue services, Civil Defence,  Red Cross and our gardaí, who had to borrow a jeep from another county in order to assist.”

Deputy O'Donoghue said: “Can one imagine that the gardaí had to borrow a jeep from another area to come out and do a search and rescue? 

“The Red Cross too had to borrow vehicles from other counties to provide meals for people. It showed the lack of resources these people have in county Limerick.”

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Farmers and others who had access to tractors, jeeps, quads, and whatever they could come up with went out and helped the people, he said. 

“People provided generators and heating for homes.  They gave them soup and sandwiches and kept them warm in a warm place because they had no heating in their own houses. 

"That is what our great local people did when the Government let us down,” said Deputy O'Donoghue.