RESIDENTS OF a New Ross local authority housing estate staged a dramatic sit-in at the offices of the Town Council last week.
The residents, from Haughton Place, staged their protest because of what they claim is the lack of co-operation from Council officials in relation to concerns they have about their health and in particular with regard to noise and EMFs ((Electro Magnetic Frequencies) that they allege are emanating from a house in their estate.
When contacted about the matter recently by this newspaper the owners of the company at the centre of the controversy, Pronetip, dismissed the claims and said their equipment is no longer in the house and that they don’t operate any of their business from Haughton Place.
The company has three different New Ross addresses listed in the 118.ie directory and the Housing Officer for New Ross Town Council, Mick McCormack, told The Echo that an investigation is underway to ascertain whether or not the company is operating fully out of 20 Haughton Place or if that’s “just a postal address” for the business.
The fact that none of the reports into the matter have been presented to the residents by the Council led to them holding their sit-in at the Tholsel which began at around 4.30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19.
The couple who operate Pronetip told this newspaper that the entire matter is causing them a lot of stress.
They said all of the equipment relating to the business has been removed from the house in Haughton Place and that the four occasions when the local authority carried out inspections – including in the attic – nothing was found.
They said the Council didn’t tell them why the inspections were being carried out despite being asked to do so.
“We also asked them for a copy of their conclusions but so far we have received nothing,” they said.
The couple also revealed that they have received anonymous texts – sometimes late at night – which have been threatening in nature in addition to a bogus letter relating to the matter.
The couple said Pronetip is still operating but from a different location and with the help of a friend.
“It is not there anymore – there is nothing there to do with the business,” they said.
“This is really causing us a lot of stress.”
The protesters told The Echo they planned to remain in the Tholsel for ‘as long as it takes’ to get copies of the reports from officials.
This newspaper tried to contact the Town Clerk, Anthony Bailey, about the matter, however, he made no comment on the matter.
The residents ultimately left the building, however, they said they had made their point and won’t stop protesting until they receive copies of the reports from officials.
