Wires cut during attempted break-in to Bellurgan filling station leaves peninsula with a communication blackout

Gardaí are investigating an attempted break-in to a filling station in Bellurgan overnight which has led to a communication blackout in the peninsula today.

Phone lines were cut during the incident, which has led to a phone and internet blackout in the area today – something that has affected 4,602 customers.

The attempted break-in is said to have occurred around 1.40am and any witnesses to suspicious activity in the area at the time are asked to contact Gardaí.

Eircom say they are working to repair the problem at present and hope to have service restored this evening.

The issue has affected a number of local businesses, including post offices in Cooley, Riverstown and Jenkinstown, which have been unable to operate today.

Phone and broadband outage in north Louth

Eircom customers in North Louth are experiencing a service disruption this morning.

The issue is affecting 4,602 customers between Dundalk and Carlingford, who have been left without internet or phone services.

Eircom say the issue is under investigation and they hope to have service restored as soon as possible.

Anyone looking to contact the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlingford is asked to contact 086 7788850 during the duration of the down time.

Kirk welcomes broadband plan announcement

Seamus Kirk TD

Louth Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk has welcomed the announcement that high speed broadband would be made available every household in the county by the end of the decade.

The National Broadband Plan was released yesterday, with a  focus on supplying broadband to rural and urban Louth.

Commenting on the subject, Deputy Kirk said: “It is vital that areas including Ardee, Blackrock, the Cooley Peninsula, Dromiskin, Dunleer and Tullyallen, as well as all other areas in Louth, are covered by the National Broadband Plan.

“I urge the Minister to make sure all areas in Louth are covered by this new plan. It is so important for businesses to strengthen and grow in Louth to have access to a first class broadband system.

“It is also imperative that there is a reliable internet connection for businesses. Internet outage can seriously affect a business in terms of lost revenue.

“I will be in contact with the Minister’s office to get a detailed timeframe for internet availability in all areas in Louth, but this is a step in the right direction,” said Deputy Kirk.