Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Letter addressed to Alan Montague Jessica Montague via Facebook
bills

Irish Water apologises after sending letters to man six years dead

The man’s widow says she was shocked to receive the letters with ‘RIP’ written beside her husband’s name.

Updated 9:40am.

A WEXFORD MOTHER of two received two letters addressed to her deceased husband from Irish Water yesterday.

The letter had ‘RIP’ written beside her late husband’s name.

Jessica Montague posted the letter on Facebook yesterday morning. She wrote:

“This morning’s post. Two letters from IW addressed to my deceased husband.

Nearly 6 years dead and you dare to put that on a letter.

“No, I will not be contacting you to clarify your error.”

Her husband will be dead six years this June. He died from a brain tumour aged 36.

It comes as the first batch of Irish Water bills were dropped through letterboxes on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio 1 Irish Water spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett said, “I would like to apologise to this family and the upset caused.

It really is just unacceptable.

In a statement Irish Water said it will be sending bills to 1.5 million customers over the coming eight weeks:

“It’s a significant task and we expect to face challenges where we have incomplete customer information, where customers have not yet registered or where customer information needs to be updated.

We totally understand and apologise for upset caused by incorrect customer information and our contact center staff are ready to accept customer registrations or to correct any data inaccuracies quickly so that information is correct for future billing cycles.

Originally posted 8:15.

Read: What would happen if Sinn Féin scraps Irish Water and water charges?>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
241
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.