Damaged manholes in Laois town in ‘shocking’ state

Cllr Paddy Bracken has sought for manhole covers to be repaired in Mountmellick

Published 20th Jul 2026, 19:25 BST File photo. Cllr Paddy Bracken has sought for manhole covers to be repaired in Mountmellick Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

Damaged chamber covers on two busy streets in a Laois town are in serious need of repair, according to a local councillor.

Laois County Council has been requested to repair the damaged chamber covers on O’Moore Street and Irishtown in Mountmellick .

Speaking at the July meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick MD, Councillor Paddy Bracken urged the council that the chamber covers in Mountmellick are in a “shocking” state.

“These are giving a lot of grief. They’re shocking at O’Moore Street and Irishtown. I want to see them addressed as soon as possible. They’re rattling very badly,” Cllr Bracken told the council.

Although he pointed out O’Moore Street and Irishtown specifically, he advised that Laois County Council should carry out checks on all of the chamber covers around the town.

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The MD Area Office said the damaged chamber covers are a mixture of wastewater and stormwater manhole covers.

It was noted that the wastewater manholes are the responsibility of Uisce Eireann and so the council has contacted Uisce Eireann regarding the damaged covers.

The MD Area Office intends to seek quotations for the repair of the stormwater manhole covers at O’Moore Street and Irishtown.