A pedigree cattle farmer has called for a better electricity service after his supply was disrupted again this week.


It is the sixth time since last autumn that Sean McGeehan has had to run his farm enterprise without electricity. His electric was cut off on Tuesday morning following the high winds and torrential downpours caused by the remnants of Storm Jonas. 


The problem is being caused by trees falling onto electricity lines in the surrounding Mullaghfad Forest and 16 households in the Cooneen area were without power earlier this week. 


Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) delivered generators to the households that were without power on Tuesday night . It is understood that the line has been broken and repaired so many times that NIE intend to replace part of it.
“Apart from the inconveniences of trying to run a household, the lack of electricity is worrying when you’re trying to run a farm,” Mr. McGeehan said. “This is the sixth time in recent months that my electricity has been off and it affects my farm business which I run with my son – we have a herd of 50 pedigree limousin cattle.”


He continued: “I have cameras up to check on them when they are calving. I constantly check the camera through my iPhone. Obviously this doesn’t work when there’s no electric.


“If the vet needs to be called during the night, we need electricity. If we lost one of those calves it would be a big loss to the business. That’s a constant worry when you can’t rely on the electricity. 
“During these dark winter months when you’re foddering the cattle you need to see what you are doing.
“I’m frustrated that I am paying for a service that I am not receiving.
“I can see that some work has begun to try and alleviate the problem but unless felling takes place along the complete length of the line, I fear this problem will continue.”


Local Sinn Fein Councillor Sheamus Greene has been in touch with Forest Service and NIE on the issue. A site visit by NIE and the Forest Service took place in December and tree felling of the older trees in Mullaghfad Forest began in January.


“This problem affects a huge number of houses using that line, not just in the Mullaghfad area,” Councillor Greene said. “It’s a problem anywhere there is forestry and electricity lines. [Forest Service] usually have a pad on either side of the electricity line but they would need that pad to be wider so that falling trees don’t hit the power lines. However, I suspect that that would take up too much of their ground.”
Councillor Greene hopes to see another site visit in Mullaghfad Forest in the coming weeks.


An NIE spokeswoman said: “We are aware that there have been a number of power cuts recently caused by mature trees in Mullaghfad Forest. We are working closely with the Forest Service to resolve this issue and their contractors are cutting back trees in the vicinity to the overhead electricity line.
“The most recent power cut occurred on Tuesday morning when strong winds brought down trees on the electricity line and left 16 homes without electricity. Measures were taken to restore power to these homes so that repairs could be carried out safely. Almost a kilometre of overhead line is being restrung and two poles replaced.”


A spokesman for Forest Service added: “Felling of an area of woodland adjoining a powerline managed by NIE Networks commenced in early January. Through close liaison with NIE Networks, it is anticipated that all felling works adjoining the powerline will be completed as soon as possible taking account of site health and safety considerations. 
“In relation to future works, Forest Service will continue to liaise closely with NIE Networks who have responsibility for the maintenance, refurbishment and tree cutting programmes associated with the electricity network.”