EDITORIAL: Tipperary communities are indebted to emergency services

The snowstorm that engulfed Tipperary made it impossible for many people to carry out everyday tasks we all take for granted.
Schools were forced to close, hospital appointments were cancelled, some retail outlets could not open their doors, court sittings were cancelled, rail and bus services were impacted and thousands of homes lost water supply and electricity services.

Chaotic scenes were created all over the county by the weather event that disrupted all our lives.
However, workers with the emergency services, people working in statutory bodies and volunteers in the community who support and assist the vulnerable and marginalised all had to strive to do their job in the most difficult and demanding of circumstances.

Communities all over Tipperary are indebted to those workers who went over and above the call of duty over the last few days to help others.

Local authority workers, emergency services personnel, hospital staff, GP staff, An Post workers, Uisce Éireann and ESB employees all made huge efforts to make our roads safe, to restore essential water supply and electricity to homes all over the county and to ensure that people received the medical support they needed.
We are indebted to the gardaí, fire brigade services, Civil Defence and other groups who came to the assistance of so many over the last few days.

STUNNING PICTURE: A view of Clonmel covered in a blanket of snow on Sunday afternoon

Picture by John D Kelly

The decency of people also shone through as so many helped out their neighbours in communities all over the county.
A great example of this community spirit was provided by the people of Clonoulty and Rossmore who came out in force to ensure that the people of west Tipperary could pay their respects and give a proper send-off to a much-respected member of the community as their efforts ensured the funeral went ahead.

Well done to all who were part of a monumental effort to keep so many people safe throughout Tipperary.