"It's important to look out for those who are most vulnerable during adverse weather conditions." That's according to Fiona McCaffrey Jones who is Manager of Truagh Spirit Community Services. Like many services across the Northern Sound region today, the popular Truagh Spirt Meals on Wheels service did not run in the Knococonan and Emyvale areas due to the impact of Storm Isha. The community service was unable to deliver meals due to a power outage, however, delivery drivers completed routes today to let service users know that they will deliver a dinner tomorrow instead, if electricity is reinstated.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Fiona said that the meals on wheels service has played an instrumental role across communities in North Monaghan since 2008. According to Fiona, strategies brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have helped when dealing with emergency situations, such as that brought on by Storm Isha.
Fiona added that it's important for older people to know that help is there if they are stuck for food or need important messages carried out during adverse weather conditions. "Myself and members of our team all met up first thing this morning," she said. We had no lights, our ovens weren't working and we decided on what we thought was the best course of action. Staff who are usually off on a Tuesday are coming in tomorrow and it will be all hands on deck tomorrow in order to get meals out to people who need them." Meanwhile, many households are still without power across Cavan and Monaghan. 821 homes are currently without power in Mullagh Co Cavan with a restoration time of 8pm tonight. Elsewhere 110 homes are currently without power in Clones Co Monaghan, with an estimated restoration time of 8pm tomorrow night.
