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A motorist in Newcastle in Wicklow had "a lucky escape" after a tree fell this morning Wicklow Fire Service

As it happened: Tens of thousands without power and people told to stay indoors in Red counties

All the latest development as Storm Barra moves across Ireland.

LAST UPDATE | 7 Dec 2021

STORM BARRA IS making its presence felt across the country, with the strongest winds being experienced in the southwest this morning where Status Red warnings are now in effect.

  • Status Red warnings are in place in Cork and Kerry
  • Another Red warning kicks in in Co Clare at 4pm
  • Orange wind warnings are also in place in Clare, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Louth Mayo, Meath, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow
  • Orange wind warnings will kick in for Sligo and Leitrim at 8pm and in Donegal at 2am 
  • Schools and most colleges in Status Red and Status Orange counties are closed today.
  • Some 59,000 people are without power. Check the ESB’s Powercheck site for live local updates on power outages and estimated reconnection times. The company has said it can only mobilise crews when it is safe so customers in Red counties may experience longer delays. 

Good morning, Daragh Brophy here. Welcome to The Journal‘s rolling coverage of today’s  extreme weather – we’ll have travel and transport news throughout the morning and will be covering all of the day’s developments as they happen. 

The effects of the storm are most keenly being felt in the counties already under the Status Red warning – as this video from Stephen Murphy of Sky News from Kinsale shows

At the other side of Co Cork, this was the scene in Bantry last night as locals took precautions against the impending extreme weather: 

bantry-west-cork-ireland-6th-dec-2021-locals-in-bantry-spent-the-evening-preparing-for-storm-barra-credit-karlis-dzjamkoalamy-live-news Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

bantry-west-cork-ireland-6th-dec-2021-cork-county-council-employees-were-preparing-pumps-this-evening-for-expected-flooding-tomorrow-morning-after-met-eireann-issued-a-status-red-weather-warning Cork County Council employees were preparing pumps for expected flooding. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

bantry-west-cork-ireland-6th-dec-2021-locals-in-bantry-spent-the-evening-preparing-for-storm-barra-pictured-below-cork-county-council-has-installed-two-pumps-in-the-square-to-prevent-flooding Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

While we’ve had indications that this spell of less-than-clement weather was approaching since Friday, Met Éireann’s Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack made the nation sit up and take notice properly yesterday when she took to the airwaves to describe the incoming system as a ‘weather bomb’. 

“It’s what the Americans would call a weather bomb,” is what she actually said – also managing to throw some oblique shade at US weatherforecasters as she went. 

In its updates today Met Éireann said that mean wind speeds had been increasing along southern and western coasts since early this morning. 

In a tweet within the last few minutes the weather service added: “Sherkin Island has recorded a gust of 113 km/h in the last hour, along with a gust of 98 km/h at Roches Point”. 

To summarise what’s going on right now:

  • We’ve Status Red warnings in place in Cork and Kerry 
  • Another kicks in in Co Clare at 4pm 
  • Orange wind warnings are also in place right now in Clare, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo and Wexford 
  • A Status Orange warning kicks in for Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Meath at 8am 
  • Schools and most colleges in Status Red and Status Orange counties will be closed today
  • Creches in those counties will also stay closed 
  • Drivers are being urged to look out for wind-blown debris
  • The HSE has closed services and cancelled appointments in several counties
  • Vaccination centres in Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will be closed
  • Test centres in Cork and Kerry are also cancelled
  • So are BreastCheck appointments in Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
  • Aldi stores in Cork and Kerry will stay shut this morning, in Clare they close at 3pm 
  • Some bank branches are also closing in worst-hit counties 
  • Flights are being cancelled and delayed, and there are ferry cancellations 
  • Irish Rail said all services are operation as normal so far – but reduced speeds are in operation between Mallow and Cork/Tralee

You’ll find more detail on this morning’s main points here.

Liz Walsh of Met Éireann has just been in Morning Ireland giving the latest picture. Here are the main points:

  • The centre of the storm is currently around 115km west of Galway 
  • It’s tracking towards Galway Bay, and is set to make landfall around midday 
  • Strong and gusty winds are currently being experienced in most parts of the country 
  • Worst weather in Cork and Kerry will be from around 11am 
  • Clare will be close to the centre of the storm – winds may actually ease off a bit in the next few hours before the Status Red alert kicks in there this afternoon 
  • Winds will get lighter this afternoon along the north-east coast, including in Dublin, as more violent gusts hit the West 
  • Those areas in western counties can also expect thundery bursts of rain this afternoon 
  • Snow is being reported in Donegal and Sligo but that’s likely to recede this afternoon 

Norma Foley, the Education Minister, was on Morning Ireland straight after Liz Walsh. 

She said (unsurprisingly, I suppose) that the decision to advise schools to close in Status Orange as well as Status Red counties was made for health and safety reasons. 

Asked whether schools would have remote learning in place today, she said decisions had to be taken in schools at short notice yesterday so remote learning was “not a requirement” as far as the Department was concerned – although it will be in place in some schools.

It’s expected schools will be open again tomorrow, she said – but the situation will be monitored as the day goes on. 

Spokespeople from various agencies have been popping up on Morning Ireland with the latest in the last few minutes.

Superindendent Liam Geraghty of the Garda Press Office said the advice to those in Status Red areas is to stay safe and stay indoors.

If you are out and about driving anywhere in the country today reduce your speed and prepare to encounter fallen debris and other obstacles, he warned.

If you come across a fallen tree do not attempt to move it yourself, he said, report it to your local Garda station.

Barry Kenny of Irish Rail said all services are still operating on all routes but that delays can be expected in worst-hit counties. Reduced speeds are in operation between Mallow and Cork/Tralee.

Bus Éireann‘s services in Status Red counties are suspended this morning, the service’s spokesman Alan Parker told the programme. Services in Clare – which is also set to turn red this afternoon – will be suspended from 4pm.

  • You can find the company’s full statements on the storm here

There’s flooding being reported across Kerry too now, where the tide (thankfully) is now receding. 

“Flooding in Tralee at Godfrey Place, Prince’s Quay and Ballyard Road Pumps in place since 5am,” Kerry County Council tweeted

The Pier Road/Bell Heights area of Kenmare is impassable, the council says – effectively blocking the route south towards the bridge. So if you need any further advice not to drive from Kenmare towards Glengarriff this morning, well, don’t. 

Michelle Hennessy here taking over the liveblog from Daragh. 

Let’s get an update on the power situation.

ESB Networks Powercheck is showing a significant number of outages, with at least 12,000 homes without power this morning:

Powercheck Powercheck

ESB has said crews are out working to restore power in impacted areas as soon as possible.

You can log a fault online or by calling 1800 372 999.

 An Post has confirmed all post offices in Cork and Kerry will remain closed today and there will be no mail deliveries or collections in any part of the counties Kerry or Cork today.

 In Clare, postal deliveries services will operate as normal until 2pm, and post offices will remain open for business as usual until 2pm.

Any Child Benefit payments due today will be paid at post offices tomorrow. 

Letter, parcel and post office services will operate as normal in all other counties today.

 An Post expects services to resume tomorrow, but will continue to monitor the situation. 

Spare a thought today for the news reporters deployed all over the country to stand outside in the wind and rain – ankle deep in floodwater – and tell you that the weather is bad.

Newstalk’s Kacey O’Riordan has this report from Cork City:

Newstalk / YouTube

We’re hoping she’s back inside now with a cuppa.

Met Éireann’s Evelyn Cusack had a message for people on Morning Ireland:

“Follow all of the warnings all the local authorities’ and emergency services’ advice, don’t go out, don’t do anything stupid,” she said.

She said the threat of flooding for Cork has now receded and has shifted instead to the east coast, particularly Dundalk and Drogheda.

Evelyn said there will be poor conditions at different times in different parts of the country today and this evening.

There are, as expected, some disruptions to public transport due to storm damage. However alternative arrangements are being made for passengers:

A quick update from ESB Networks, they’ve just told us there are currently around 33,000 customers without power. 

Don’t forget, if you’re without power you can check for updates on the Powercheck website.

 

Hello. It’s Órla Ryan here, taking over from Michelle Hennessy.

Thanks for staying with us for all the latest weather updates this morning.

I hate to be the immediate bearer of bad news, but bus transfers are in operation between Waterford and Kilkenny train stations due to flooding in Waterford.

Some rogue trampolines are making their presence felt around the country. Are there any loose ones near you?

Send weather photos to pictures@thejournal.ie

In terms of flight disruption, here’s the latest information:

Aer Lingus has cancelled flights in and out of Cork Airport and Shannon Airport today.

At Ireland West Airport, flights are currently operating to schedule.

People have been asked to contact the relevant airline if they have specific queries about flights due to operate today.

A Delta airlines flight en route from New York to Dublin was forced to divert to Amsterdam after failing to land twice due to high winds.

As of 9.45am, more than 59,000 electricity customers were without power across the country, ESB has confirmed.

ESB Networks “will be making safe faults throughout the day and restoring supply remotely and on site when safe to do so”, a spokesperson said.

People have been asked to check estimated restoration times or report an outage on Powercheck.ie

The ESB statement notes:

“Gale force winds associated with Storm Barra, with gusts of over 130 km/h, have caused damage this morning to the electricity network affecting more than 59,000 homes, farms and businesses. The damage is mainly attributable to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.

“With the storm still crossing the country, more damage and interruptions to supply can be expected. ESB Networks reminds the public that if you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous.

“All internal resources are on alert and will be deployed to respond to all electricity outages once it is safe to do so. With a red weather warning in the Southwest in effect until tonight, this may mean our crews may not be mobilised on the ground until the worst of the severe weather passes.”

 

ESB also shared this important public safety message: “If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous.

“Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location.”

ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:

  • Stay Safe, Stay Clear: Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1800 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully
  • Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc, if electricity supply is lost
  • Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored
  • Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames
  • Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries
  • Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters

Storm Barra is also having an impact on Covid-19 testing with some facilities rescheduling appointments due to the bad weather.

The latest updates on the impact of the storm on Covid testing and other HSE services can be read here.

In relation to the Carlow test centre closing, a HSE spokesperson said: “The Cork-based National Ambulance Service (NAS) team which was due to open this pop-up centre could not travel today due to the red weather warning. All appointments have been rescheduled to tomorrow.”

Met Éireann has updated some of its weather warnings.

A Status Orange wind warning has now been extended to Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

The warning will be valid in Sligo and Leitrim from 8pm today until 8am tomorrow.

The warning in Donegal will be valid from 2am until 2pm tomorrow

Screenshot 2021-12-07 10.52.56 Met.ie Met.ie

The current Met Éireann weather warnings are as follows:

Status Red – Wind warning for Cork, Kerry

Southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts in excess of 130km/h. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.

Valid from 9.34am to 9pm today 

Status Red – Wind warning for Clare

Valid from 4pm today until 1am tomorrow 

Status Orange – Wind warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo, Wexford

Southeasterly winds, later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100 to 130 km/h, with localised stronger winds likely, with severe gusts on coasts. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.

Valid from 9.34am today until 6am tomorrow

Status Orange – Wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, East Meath

Valid from 9.34am until 1pm today  

Status Orange – Wind warning for Leitrim, Sligo

Valid from 8pm today until 8am tomorrow 

Status Orange – Wind warning for Donegal

Valid from 2am until 2pm tomorrow 

Status Yellow – Wind and rain warning for Ireland

Storm Barra will bring widespread mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h and gusts of 90 to 110 km/h with localised stronger winds likely. Heavy rain will also bring risks of surface flooding and, due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.

Valid from 9.34am until 6pm today 

Northern Ireland Warnings

Yellow – Wind and Rain Warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry

Strong winds and heavy rain bring a risk of some travel disruption and flooding

Valid from 6am today until 9am tomorrow 

At a press briefing about Storm Barra, Keith Leonard, Chair of the State’s National Emergency Coordination Group, said the storm has caused significant disruption with trees down and power disruptions across the country.

He said people have taken public advice on board but warned that today is going to remain “hazardous” and “difficult”.

Eoin Sherlock, Chief Hydrometeorologist at Met Éireann, said the coastal risk has spread from the south and west to the east coast now.

Later today, the risk will again develop in parts of the northwest such as Galway.

Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Eireann, said the strongest winds tomorrow will be over Donegal.

More from my colleague Orla Dwyer who is tuning in to the press briefing:

Claire Quane from the ESB said 59,000 customers have been impacted by power outages today. She said there was a significant outage in Donegal, but a lot of these customers have since been restored.

Met Éireann’s Evelyn Cusack said there are “still some very severe conditions to come” as the storm continues throughout the day.

Another one for the rogue trampoline collection. This time near the Sugarloaf in Co Wicklow. Thanks for sending in the photo, Cat.

Send your weather photos to pictures@thejournal.ie. And remember, stay safe and indoors where possible!

sdr Cat C Cat C

The road from Kenmare towards Glengarriff in Co Cork was one of the many routes flooded this morning.

IMG-20211207-WA0000

More from Orla Dwyer who is watching the press briefing: Keith Leonard said a meeting will be held this afternoon to assess risks for schools tomorrow with a decision on any recommendations to be made to the Department of Education at around 5.30pm today.

Tom McGuinness from the HSE said any cancelled Covid-19 tests or vaccine appointments will be rescheduled.

He said some temporary structures at test and vaccination centres were risk-assessed yesterday and, where appropriate, these structures were taken down. They will be re-built tomorrow, weather permitting. As a result, services may still be disrupted at these centres tomorrow morning.

On climate change, Evelyn Cusack said: “Last time we had a storm here in Ireland was Storm Aiden … We’ve gone through an unusually very quiet period of weather.

“With climate change, we are in a warming atmosphere so severe weather events are more likely,” she said, adding that storms like this are not unexpected.

Wexford County Council’s Emergency Management Team met again this morning to review the early impacts of Storm Barra across the county.

There are no major incidents to report.

While tides are high along the coast, flood defences in New Ross, Ballyhack and Arthurstown have performed extremely well, with no flooding to report in these areas, a statement notes.

The council’s public safety messages remain the same:

  • Shelter in place during the storm, avoid travel during the storm unless absolutely necessary
  • Stay away from coastal areas
  • Drivers should take care, avoid unnecessary journeys, always expect the unexpected and travel at an appropriate speed at all times
  • Be vigilant and aware of potential for trees falling
  • If you encounter any fallen wires do not touch them, call the ESB emergency number 1800 372 999
  • Check your garden or yard for any loose materials, refuse bins, Christmas lights, etc and secure these where possible but only if safe to do so
  • Be aware that temporary structures outside hotels, pubs, etc may become unstable
  • Fallen trees on roads, localised flooding and other storm issues can be reported to Wexford County Council during office hours on 053 919 6000 or outside office hours on 1890 666 777
  • In the event of a significant emergency or threat to safety, phone 999

Here’s an update from Cork County Council:

Cork county remains under a Met Éireann Status Red wind warning until 9pm with severe and damaging wind gusts in excess of 130km/h expected.

River levels are also being monitored with flood barriers erected in Mallow and Fermoy on Monday.

The council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team and Crisis Management Team met this morning to discuss the situation.

At this time the worst affected area in Cork County is Bantry. Flooding also occurred on Back Street in Youghal which is now receding. There are multiple reports of trees down and roads flooded throughout the county.

Cork County Council continues to ask members of the public to stay at home and avoid any unnecessary activity. Council offices and facilities will be closed for the duration of the Red warning, however services will continue to be delivered from staff operating remotely.

Issues such as fallen trees, flooding and road damage should be reported by calling 021 4276891 between 9am and 5pm or via the council’s emergency out of hours number 021 4800048.

The strong winds may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of a disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1850 372 999. Fallen or grounded wires should be avoided and the public are advised to call ESB in assisting with the identification of fallen wires.

In the event of a disruption to water supply, please contact Irish Water at 1850 278 278.

In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate, the council advises.

Staying in Cork and a tree is down outside Kinsale on the Bandon Road.

Thanks to Sean O’Callaghan for sending us this photo.

IMG_20211207_105421 Sean O'Callaghan Sean O'Callaghan

Send your weather photos to pictures@thejournal.ie. And remember, stay safe and indoors where possible!

It’s not just wind and rain some areas are experiencing, there is snow in Donegal.

ESB teams are “restoring supply remotely and working on site when safe to do so” as tens of thousands of properties remain without power.

The Wicklow Fire Service said a motorist in Newcastle had “a lucky escape” after a tree fell this morning.

Screenshot 2021-12-07 12.15.36 RTÉ News / Twitter RTÉ News / Twitter / Twitter

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said Storm Barra is a “very severe weather event” but has caused “minimal damage so far”. However, he added: “The storm is not over.”

In terms of some Covid-19 testing and vaccination appointments being rescheduled because of the storm, O’Brien said a day or two of disruption will not have a major impact on the rollout of the booster programme.

The latest HSE updates can be viewed here.

Some good advice from Dublin Fire Brigade:

Thanks for staying with us so far today. I’m going to wrap up this live blog but my colleague Hayley Halpin will keep you up to date here.

Stay safe!

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44 Comments
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    Mute Leonard O'mahony
    Favourite Leonard O'mahony
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:15 PM

    Any list of those centres which are fully operational, so I can avoid a partial test,which is utterly ridiculous.

    373
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    Mute Kate Buggle
    Favourite Kate Buggle
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:38 PM

    @Leonard O’mahony: Fonthill have two lifts operating. My car passed full NCT last night.

    50
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    Mute Vin
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    Feb 15th 2020, 12:40 AM

    @Leonard O’mahony: add Northpoint 2 to your list. I’m not sure if its’s one, some or all of the lifts functional but my car got tested last week and had the full inspection

    12
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    Mute Nosmo King
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    Feb 15th 2020, 2:07 AM

    Who made the decision to purchase all lifts from the same supplier ? Major rule of thumb in business……spread your risk as much as possible so as to not leave yourself at the mercy of one and one only.

    9
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    Mute David Memery
    Favourite David Memery
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    Feb 15th 2020, 7:03 AM

    @Nosmo King: another major rule of thumb is to have commonality of training and parts to reduce down-time for training and cost of parts on the shelf. Like everything in real business it’s a matter of balancing risks

    17
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    Mute Dublin Wings
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:21 PM

    Can’t they just buy new lifts? They’ve raked in hundreds of thousands of Euro’s, not like they’re struggling.

    169
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    Mute Frank Carty
    Favourite Frank Carty
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:25 PM

    @Dublin Wings: it would probably take longer to replace them than repair then.

    33
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    Mute Darren
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:54 PM

    @Dublin Wings: more like Millions of Euro , joke of a system anyway .

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:23 PM

    @Dublin Wings: they are putting in new lifts. But lifts aren’t like liars of bread…..no one would have hundreds of lifts in stock anywhere – an order that size is exceptional and would be made to order.

    9
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    Mute veronica
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    Feb 14th 2020, 11:20 PM

    @Dublin Wings: yes I totally agree with you…

    1
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    Mute Eileesh Buckley
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    Feb 15th 2020, 1:42 PM

    @Dublin Wings: they were scheduled to start replacement of the lifts this summer before the faults in the current lifts were discovered, unfortunately they couldn’t accelerate that schedule as the supplier doesn’t have the stock available.

    2
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    Mute Roger Pollack
    Favourite Roger Pollack
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:27 PM

    The guards (especially traffic corps) can and WILL take your car off you for an out of date NCT. I know because mine was out of date by two months in January and they took mine off me. The guard also tried to say that having an up-to-date NCT is a requirement from insurers and if your car is out on NCT then you’re NOT covered by your insurer (I doubt this). In short, this needs government intervention, no one should have their cars taken off them for lack of NCT in the wake of this.

    117
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    Mute bmul
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:32 PM

    @Roger Pollack: lifts where working pre Jan so that’s not the reason you had no nct , did you also not have tax and insurance

    125
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    Mute colm connolly
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:48 PM

    @Roger Pollack: having a valid nct is a requirement for insurance

    67
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    Mute Peter
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:49 PM

    @Roger Pollack:

    I’d say your insurance will cover other parties but they will do what they can do not cover you and your car.

    You’ve made it void by driving without a valid NCT cert.

    25
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    Mute Cecil Orr
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @colm connolly: just read your insurance certificate.
    No mention of the NCT on it.

    31
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    Mute John Moylan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:26 PM

    @Peter: nope. just as the NCT is not accepted by insurance companies as proof of roadworthiness, the lack of NCT doesn’t invalidate your insurance. That’s why insurance companies still have assessors.

    32
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:39 PM

    @Peter: axa make it quite clear that if you book and attend the partial test and the vehicle is roadworthy your insurance is valid – wording posted

    10
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    Mute Niall McNamara
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:56 PM

    @Roger Pollack: we don’t have a government

    6
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    Mute Ian Murphy
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    Feb 14th 2020, 11:09 PM

    @Niall McNamara: Yes we do. Pre-election government and cabinet remain in place until replaced. Election has not ousted them yet.

    14
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    Mute David Memery
    Favourite David Memery
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    Feb 15th 2020, 7:15 AM

    @John Moylan: it’s not accepted for roadworthiness as the test is just a snapshot at a point in time, there are a lot of things that could happen in the intervening 2 years to make your vehicle non-roadworthy. The reason insurance companies require it is that it shows you at least make some effort to keep your vehicle up to an acceptable standard

    4
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    Mute colm connolly
    Favourite colm connolly
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:24 AM

    @Cecil Orr: have you ever tried to renew your insurance around the same time as your nct ,the insurance company wont cover you if the nct is out of date within the next 2 months

    3
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    Mute Dan
    Favourite Dan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:55 PM

    If we missed an appointment or needed a recheck .. we would have to pay
    if NCT cant do their job and someone has to go back because of their issue, they should pay or give a refund to the customer

    76
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
    Favourite Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:34 PM

    @Dan: if the vehicle has passed the parts that were inspected then the inspection requiring the lift is free but if it fails on more than a visual inspection then that is a retest using equipment and not free. So effectively the ramp inspection only is free -

    7
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    Mute Garry Coll
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:38 PM

    It would be great to know what one’s are effing well working.
    I went in last week for a retest only to be sent home again, for some lady ahead of me it was her third time and she had to organise time off work and other stuff to get there.
    We all make the applications online, why cant they email us back if there is a problem.
    Pure balls of a system.

    119
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:12 PM

    Not exactly connected to the article, but did anyone know that insurance underwriters had access to nct results?

    50
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    Mute William Bryan
    Favourite William Bryan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:49 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: won’t insure without valid full test for a friend I know

    11
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
    Favourite Logan Shepherd
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:17 PM

    @William Bryan: Even though I have it in writing from my insurance company that not having an nct will not affect your premium. However when renewing my policy the agent said it was adding to my premium. My insurance and nct were out because the car was off the road for 5mts.

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    Mute Marie Louise Ryan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:32 PM

    I see test cost rising

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    Mute aidan mccormack
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:39 PM

    Just an idea here, what should be done is customers should be allowed to bring their car into an garage where a qualified mechanic who is every bit as experienced as an nct worker and get a written cert to say the car is road worthy. The nct is money spinner for the Government, the mot system in the uk is a far better system.

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    Mute Bingobango
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    Feb 15th 2020, 12:25 AM

    @aidan mccormack: Having dealt with both systems I can assure you that the NCT is better. Over there you bring your car to a Garage/Approved Mot and he can tell you every jaysus part is hanging off it and it will cost x, y or z to be fixed. The mechanic will then go ahead and fix said items for whatever he likes and certify the car. If that’s not a conflict of interest I don’t know what is. At least the NCT are independent and not affiliated with any type of repair shop. Granted it’s a pain in the gee but at least there’s a process of oversight and complaint to be had.

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    Mute Ros Kelly
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    Feb 15th 2020, 1:10 AM

    @aidan mccormack: there’s no requirement in the NCT vehicle tester job description for the applicants to be qualified motor mechanics

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    Mute Bingobango
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    Feb 15th 2020, 1:18 AM

    @Ros Kelly: Do you tell lies for a living or just on news sites? Check out the careers section on the NCT website and come back to me. I can provide a link if you wish.

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    Mute Trebor78
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:13 AM

    @Bingobango: oversight you say? There is less than 0.1% of oversight & secondary inspectors, checks carried out each year by the oversight team. That’s not oversight it’s a heading in a report and nothing more. Whilst I agree with NCT system I don’t fell nearly half enough is done to ensure the inspections are carried out properly. If you note when an older car comes in there’s always a chat to be had with colleagues and then decisions to pass on the likes of a minor reason to get them back for a retest. I’ve watched my local centre staff for quite some time doing this. I’ve only ever failed 1 NCT on a CV boot on our second car (2008) but I watch them chat away each time car is tested since it became 10 yrs old.

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    Mute aidan mccormack
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    Feb 15th 2020, 9:21 AM

    @Ros Kelly: I dont think that right. Surely you have to be a mechanic to work in the nct centres.

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    Mute Bingobango
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    Feb 15th 2020, 9:48 AM

    @Trebor78: Oversight in the sense that they don’t make the rules, the are checked by auditors and you can contest the findings of the test on the day and through a complaints procedure. I don’t necessarily think lads talking to each other about an item is a bad thing, at least there’s a couple of opinions on the part rather than just failing it. Also they can only fail what the RSA tell them to fail, doesn’t matter if it’s a 5 year old or a 20 year old car.

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    Mute Sean Beirne
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:29 PM

    Another job for the boys

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    Mute Bernard Sweeney
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    Feb 15th 2020, 4:17 AM

    @Sean Beirne: please, explain this theory. Good man. Jesus Christ.

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    Mute Damian Moylan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:20 PM

    So much for a prenentative maintenance procedure / programme…..

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:28 PM

    @Damian Moylan: there’s never an NDT guy around when you need one, is there ?? :)

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    Mute Fran O'Keeffe
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:24 PM

    Ffs

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    Mute Sk19
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    Feb 15th 2020, 1:01 AM

    An organisation whose only purpose is to undertake mechanical repairs , has faulty mechanical items

    Only in ireland

    Any Accountability and responsibility and action taken , not in a million years

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    Mute Bernard Sweeney
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    Feb 15th 2020, 4:19 AM

    @Sk19: only in Ireland? Try northern Ireland/uk.

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    Mute Alan
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    Feb 15th 2020, 7:08 AM

    @Sk19: what do they repair??

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    Mute Sk19
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:25 AM

    @Alan: typo , inspections

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    Mute Sean Beirne
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:29 PM

    Another job for the boys

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:36 PM

    I found this on the axa FB page
    “We are aware of the of the ongoing issues at NCT test centres and that our customers may be concerned about their insurance cover. We can confirm that until this situation is resolved, AXA will cover any claims provided all other policy conditions are met. We advise all our customers to continue to book your NCT test when due, keep records of your recent car services and attend your NCT appointments.”
    At least that is clear – unless you crash with a defective and un-roadworthy vehicle.

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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:09 PM

    https://www.bbc.com › news
    MOTs: About 5,000 tests cancelled over cracked lifts – BBC News – BBC.com
    Yet in the north it’s a different story

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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:13 PM

    @Dave Byrne: They offered 4 months extra on current certs due to expire plus half the cost of the MoT to be refunded.

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    Mute Sean Beirne
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:35 PM

    Might be wrong.. if u have no tax.or nct . You have no insurance.. as both have to be in date . Otherwise your not insured ☹️

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 10:27 PM

    @Sean Beirne: you are wrong. tax & NCT have absolutely nothing to do with your insurance.

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    Mute Emma
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    Feb 15th 2020, 7:28 AM

    @John Moylan: incorrect maybe you should read your policy booklet

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    Mute Emma
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    Feb 15th 2020, 7:32 AM

    @John Moylan: incorrect maybe you should read your policy booklet.

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    Mute Valthebear
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:49 AM

    Anyone affected should have a free test. Where are our politicians now?

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    Mute Kate Banks
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    Feb 15th 2020, 10:11 AM

    I brought my car which has been off the road for 6 months for an NCT yesterday. Passed the “partial” test.

    Phoned up to get it insured. Must have spoke to more than 10 insurance companies and all refusing to insure the car until full NCT is done.

    2 week wait for the last part of the test to be done in Fonthill. Scandalous.

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    Mute Evan Connon
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:18 AM

    If they can spot faults in there lift’s over a long period of time they clearly can’t see faults in the cars,

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    Mute Laughable
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    Feb 15th 2020, 4:00 PM

    Is it me or is this so ironic…. testing centres not testing itself???

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    Mute Padraic O Sullivan
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    Feb 15th 2020, 8:09 AM

    Hypocrites. No preventative maintenance program

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    Mute Irene O Keeffe
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    Feb 16th 2020, 1:04 PM

    PEOPLE ALREADY PAID FOR FULL TEST BEFORE THEY GET CHECKED, NOTHING IS FREE,THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING THEMSELVES HAVING TO GO TWICE,AND I BELIEVE THEY DO A WEEKS COURSE/ TRAINING, TO BE TOLD WHAT THEY HAVE TO LOOK FOR IN N C T. BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAULTY MACHINERY, IS NOT THE CUSTOMERS FAULT, THEY SHOULD BE REIMBURSED.

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