TV mast will not be repaired due to safety risks, says RTE

Members of a Co Galway community who have been left without RTÉ television since the recent storms are threatening to stop paying…

Members of a Co Galway community who have been left without RTÉ television since the recent storms are threatening to stop paying their TV licence unless the service resumes.

Some 100 households in the Leenane area have been left without RTÉ1, RTÉ2 and TG4 in recent weeks due to a broken transmitter mast.

An RTÉ spokesman confirmed that because of safety regulations, repair staff will not be fixing the mast, which is situated on the side of a mountain. Like many of its type throughout rural Ireland, it was erected by the community more than 20 years ago.

Mr Mick Keogh, executive director of RTÉ transmission networks, confirmed yesterday that the authority has been actively looking for a site for some time to erect a new mast. But the cost of acquiring land in the area had proved prohibitive, he said.

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"We have been quoted €100,000 for a three-metre by three-metre piece of land. That's basically the size of an average sitting room. We have to exercise responsibility in how we spend the public's money."

Mr Keogh confirmed RTÉ had provided a satellite dish free of charge for one family in the area who had suffered particular personal hardship. However, he said, this type of personal service could only be provided in very special circumstances.

"We cannot train our repair staff in mountain-climbing since many of the masts are situated in very treacherous positions."

Community development worker, Mrs Martina Gavin said: "It is not only the many elderly in the area who are affected by the loss of service. Many young people are also dependent on it.

"As far as I am concerned, this is yet another nail in the coffin. We already have little or no public transport - a twice-weekly bus to Galway during the winter months. How can we expect to keep people in the area when such basic services are continually being depleted?"

Ms Gavin added that people had generally been very happy with RTÉ programming and many of them were not interested in Sky or a broader service.