New mast interrupts TV reception in Cootehill

The installation of a new mast adjacent to the Garda Station in Cootehill is interrupting terrestrial TV receptions in neighbouring houses. Householders as far as Bridge Street in the town found that their reception was either poor or non-existent since Budget Day. The new mast concerned hosts the new digital mobile radio service for use by the emergency services, including An Garda Síochána. The service called Tetra is being installed nationwide. However, householders in the area are having to pay on average €80 out of their own pockets to install a filter to block the signal that's affecting their TV reception. Councillors John Martin (SF) and Michael McCarey (FF) contacted The Anglo-Celt after they were approached by a number of constituents. Cllr. McCarey feels that those on Social Welfare or old age pensioners should receive some assistance with this cost, while Cllr. Martin says that householders should not have to pay up to rectify a problem that's not of their making. Cllr. McCarey said that a lot of people were left without any TV reception over the weekend. "Better notification should have been given to people. A lot of people in Cootehill were left without TV over the weekend and weren't aware of what was even causing the problem," he said. The public representative said that ComReg who issued the licence for the mast subsequently distributed an information leaflet explaining what was causing the problem and how householders could rectify it. The leaflet claims that filters can be purchased from €15 from electrical suppliers. However, Cllr. McCarey points out that homeowners still have to pay for a technician to install the filter at an average cost of €80. Meanwhile, Cllr. Martin feels that planning permission for such masts should go through the local authority, similar to as happens with mobile/broadband masts in the county. He's also expressed concerns about the potential health implications of such a mast and points out that St. Michael's NS is nearby. He's calling for the relevant authorities to address the local community on the matter to establish if there are any potential health risks.