General Election posters removed in Limerick city following 'serious safety concern'

SEVERAL General Election posters were removed by ESB Networks crews in Limerick city following a "serious safety concern".

Crews were seen taking down posters from electricity poles on Monday, November 11 on O'Connell Avenue.

Posters for a range of candidates running for the upcoming General Election were taken down, including posters for Senator Maria Byrne, Fine Gael, Green Party's Brian Leddin TD, and Cllr Sarah Beasley, Aontú.

In response to a query from Limerick Live, a spokesperson for ESB Networks confirmed that "individuals in Limerick were observed placing posters on our steel poles using aluminium ladders in close proximity to live electricity networks" on Monday.

"As this was a serious safety concern, ESB Networks crews mobilised and safely removed these posters," the spokesperson explained.

READ MORE: All you need to know about posters during the General Election

The statement from ESB Networks also noted that the company had "issued a safety message last week ahead of the general election, reminding everyone that attaching anything to electricity poles exposes individuals to the risk of electric shock, burns and falling from a height". 

"Hazardous situations have been created in the past by people erecting posters on live electricity poles and infrastructure, and posters attached to poles have previously caused poles to catch fire and fall.

"We ask that if members of the public see a potentially dangerous situation or in the event of an emergency involving the electricity network, please contact ESB Networks on our 24/7 emergency phone number: 1800 372 999," the statement concluded.