Latest News

EASTENDERS is going to get a lot more complicated with Denise stirring up old romances.

Next week, the BBC soap will have viewers watching the fall out between two romances in EastEnders.

BBC

Denise Fox and Jack Branning will be tested this week as both face romantic complications[/caption]

BBC

Jack Branning and Denise Fox can’t deny their spark[/caption]

Denise Fox, who is single following her split from Jack Branning earlier this year, is cajoled into getting into the party spirit by pals Linda and Kim at The Vic.

Encouraging Denise to let loose, the group try to wind Denise up about her former lovers Jack and Ravi Gulati, noticing that she clearly still has feelings for both men.

When Denise and Ravi speak, it sparks jealousy in Jack as he remembers their affair a year earlier.

Whilst Denise might have returned to Jack at the time, the couple split in March this year with Denise officially ending their marriage.

Yet the couple have repeatedly been drawn back to each other, even sharing kisses recently.

Whilst Jack is filled with envy, it appears there’s someone else who has feelings for him that isn’t Denise.

Priya Nandra-Hart, ex of Ravi, tries to make a move on Jack, which quickly backfires but not before Denise is left horrified.

Later, Kim decides to play matchmaker between Ravi and Denise to see if their spark can be reignited.

Denise and Ravi’s passionate affair last year was short lived, when she discovered he was using her to get close to Jack’s confidential police files.

Ravi has his own complications with ex Priya, who he shares children  Avani and Nugget with.

Last month actor Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi, revealed to Radio Times that there could still be a spark between Ravi and Priya.

He explained: “I think the conscious thought in his mind is that Priya is just the mother of his children, but I don’t think even he can deny there is still a draw towards her.

“I think when you share children, there will always be that magnetic connection with them. There’s so much trauma between them that is unsaid.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

COPS have detained the owner of a backpacker hostel where a group of tourists were staying before five of them died in a suspected poisoning.

British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, died on Thursday after she fell ill from drinking free shots laced with methanol while in Laos, South East Asia.

The boss of Nana Backpacker Hostel in the popular tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng was detained by local police for questioning, ABC reports.

It was at the hostel bar where the holidaymakers were served free drinks – suspected to have made them ill.

Five people in total have died since drinking them last week – including a 19-year-old woman from Melbourne called Bianca Jones.

Two Danish women and an American man also died.

At least 11 people, including Brits, remain in hospital after allegedly being served laced drinks.

Simone’s friend Bethany Clarke – also in hospital – raised the alarm with an urgent warning on the Laos Backpacking Facebook group.

She wrote: “Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars.

“Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”

Bethany added that she was “very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down”.

She continued: “I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery.”

The Foreign Office yesterday confirmed it was supporting Simone’s family.

A spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.”

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

Highlander adalah film dan series yang dirilis di tahun 80an dan memperkenalkan dunia fantasi yang mengisahkan para Immortal, manusia abadi yang terlibat dalam duel hingga hanya tersisa satu yang bertahan. Nah, Henry Cavill dan sutradara John Wick, Chad Stahelski, akan mereboot film ini di tahun 2025 mendatang. Lalu bagaimana sih cerita dari film epik ini? […]

Artikel 8 Fakta Cerita Highlander, Film Terbaru Henry Cavill! pertama kali tampil pada Greenscene.

0 Добрий день друзі! Сьогодні приготуємо сирний пиріг із нектаринами. Ніжний, смачний і соковитий завдяки великій кількості фруктів, які можна брати абсолютно будь-які. Інгредієнти: вершкове масло (м’яке) – 100 г цукор – 180 г сіль – щіпка яйця – 3 шт. мигдальна есенція – кілька крапель сир – 350 г розпушувач – 15 г борошно […]

The Tavascan is an edgy new electric crossover that should find favour based on looks alone, but a lot hinges on its unconfirmed pricing.

When you get that dusty box full of baubles and other festive trinkets out of the loft over the next few weeks, it’s worth having a good rummage through your collection.

It turns out there are old Christmas  ornaments that are worth a pretty penny. 

Whether they’re decorations handed down through the generations, or you’ve just been sentimentally holding on to them for decades, you could potentially get a windfall to give you a very Merry Christmas from selling them online.  

“A box of mixed vintage Christmas decorations from the mid century is like gold dust to a dealer or collector,” said Rachel Toy, a 20th-century vintage expert, who sells collectables including Christmas decorations on her site Rachel’s Vintage Retro.

“If you have a box full, you can probably sell it for a good price without even having to sort it out – however if you want to make sure you get the maximum price, sell things individually.

“The most accessible will probably be those from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s.”

Rachel said that the best finds are anything that was classic for the era it was made.

Brightly coloured ornaments with the kitsch factor are much sought after – and they need to be in good condition.

She recommends selling through ebay, Facebook Marketplace or Vinted, or if you have a big collection, it could also be worth selling through Etsy. 

Some older antique ornaments can be worth thousands.

For example, a German Kugel bauble from the 19th-century sold for a whopping £14,000 and there are rare hand-painted Father Christmas figurines called Belsnickles that can go for up to £3000. 

Below, she has outlined the most valuable decorations you could have knocking around in your attic to look out for.

The most valuable Christmas decorations you could have in your collection 

1950s Aluminium Christmas tree

Getty

Aluminium Christmas trees were popular in the 1950s and are worth up to £500[/caption]

Rachel said this particular Christmas tree decoration sells for between £250 and £500, depending on the condition. 

“These came out in the 1950s after the austerity of the Second World War when materials were no longer reserved for the war effort,” she explained.

“The use of aluminium and the shape of the trees nods to the trend for all things space age that was starting to emerge.

“You could also buy a rotating colour wheel to enable the tree to light up. These are worth about £50-£100 – and boxed is even better.”

Mercury Glass baubles 

www.notonthehighstreet.com

Mercury glass baubles first started being made in the late 1880s[/caption]

They were made in the mid-late 1800s in Germany.

“Once Woolworths started to stock them, they became popular in the US and UK. Not many survived as they were so delicate, so are very desirable to find now, especially in their original boxes,” explained Rachel.

“They came in a variety of shapes in gorgeous colours and hand painted designs.

“Prices for a set of good boxed round baubles average about £25-£50 depending on condition. Concave and teardrop shaped ones are even more sought after and can command higher prices.”

Old fairly lights

Getty

Fairy lights from Pifco, Noma and Woolworths could be valuable[/caption]

It probably never occurred to you that your fairy lights might be worth anything, but Rachel says that those from the early to mid century can be valuable.

“Names to look out for are Pifco, Noma, and original Woolworths ones,” she said.

“A set of rare Pifco Cinderella coached shaped shades is going for £225 on eBay at the moment.

“Most sets will be in the range of £25 – £50 and ones made in the 40s and 50s with shades made from bakelite and milk glass are more unusual, so they will be worth more.”

Flocked Christmas ornaments

www.etsy.com

Flocked ornaments are very sought after and can sell for more than £25[/caption]

“Flocked ornaments – usually in the shape of a santa, or a reindeer – were popular back in the day,” said Rachel.

The larger stand-alone ornaments can go for £25 upwards, while higher quality ones made in Japan are very sought after and collectable – prices for these can go into the £100s, she added.

Paper honeycomb decorations

Getty

Honeycomb decorations are made from tissue paper and could be worth £20[/caption]

These decorations made from tissue paper by Paul Jones Garlands, Beistle, Cascade and Peter Pan are becoming increasingly valuable, Rachel said.

“As they are so delicate, it’s hard to find ones in perfect condition,” she added.

“They usually came in the shape of a bell, angel’s skirt, tree, ball, Santa’s hat or as a garland. Expect prices of £20 upwards.”

Panaura decorations

www.pineappleretro.co.uk

Panaura decorations were first made in 1968 and could be worth £100s[/caption]

Dating back to 1968, Rachel said that these acrylic decorations were only available for a few years and so are now very rare.

“They were handmade by disabled workers at the company Remploy and came in three acrylic designs; starburst, circle and diamond, with the latter being most sought after.

“Single decorations can sell for £25 nowadays, and sets go into the £100s.”

Diorama decorations

Getty

Diorama decorations often show characters or animals in a woodland scene[/caption]

Rachel said these can sell for at least £20 each, but up to £200 for top quality editions.

“Jewel Brite was the maker of these and I always find that if I get these small plastic baubles with a cut-out front and Christmas scene inside, they sell immediately – and for a good price,” she said.

“There were also tabletop decorations and light-up ornaments. Ones made in Japan are worth more and a set of 1950s glass ones is up for sale at nearly £200 on eBay.”

Rare Christmas tree toppers

www.jenniferperkins.com

Rare Christmas tree toppers could be worth up to £70[/caption]

“In the 1800s, a figure of the Baby Jesus would adorn the top of a tree. However, it began to change to a Christmas Angel, and later, a fairy that told the shepherds about Jesus, or a star like the Wise Men saw.

“Many people made their own in the 50s, 60s and 70s from a doll and bit of net curtain and these are quite popular to collect – at about £15 – £20 each,” explained Rachel.

“Again, Japanese made ones with kitsch faces are worth more, as well as older doll ones made from hard plastic.”

In the 1990s, some appeared with porcelain faces and hands and these are collectable too – the most expensive Rachel has seen is one going for £70 on eBay.

What should I keep that could become valuable in future?

Rachel said that Christmas decorations from the Nineties are becoming more sought after.

“Searches for ‘90s Christmas decorations’ are increasing on my website year on year,” she said.

“Think wooden decorations, tree fairies with porcelain faces, colour-themed baubles and tinsel. Large outdoor lights from the time too could be popular as we didn’t really do outdoor lighting in the UK until the 1990s.”

How to store Christmas ornaments

“Store in a dry, cool place and wrap in tissue paper or bubble wrap. Don’t store anywhere damp or where rodents can get in. Pack carefully and don’t stack boxes on top of them,” said Rachel.

LEANNE Battersby looks set to uncover a disturbing secret about her ex Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street.

Following their split earlier this year, Leanne and Nick have been finding a way to move forward and cope with the break-up in the best possible way.

ITV

Could Leanne be about to uncover a major secret?[/caption]

ITV

Nick and Toyah’s romance is on the verge of being exposed[/caption]

Unfortunately for Leanne, she had been blissfully unaware that Nick has rekindled his former romance with her sister Toyah behind her back.

The couple originally called it quits when the pair’s illicit affair was exposed but now they have been seeing each other once again behind everyone’s backs.

However, it seems that in upcoming scenes, Leanne may finally discover the truth about what is going on amid a bitterly sad time for the Bistro worker.

Ahead of Leanne rumbling their romance, Nick and Toyah discuss ways that they could softly reveal their relationship to the local residents.

Nick suggests Toyah join him and Sam for tea in the flat so Sam can get used to seeing them together before they officially break the news. 

Afterwards, Nick turns his attentions to speaking to Leanne where he makes a suggestion that they flee after breaking the news.

He tells Toyah they should go on holiday after coming clean in order to leave her to process it in peace.

Defiant, Toyah insists they wait until after Oliver’s memorial and the trial.

When Leanne presents Toyah with a rose bush and suggests they plant it next to Oliver’s tree in memory of Rose, Toyah’s touched.

Before getting the chance to speak to her, Leanne notices the holiday booking on Nick’s computer.

Could the game finally be up for the sneaky pair?

Nick steals himself to come clean to Leanne, but he’s thwarted by the arrival of a police officer, who breaks the news that Leanne’s Dad, Les, has died at work.

Reeling from shock, Leanne heads out to find Toyah as Nick quickly calls to warn her.

As the sisters hug, united in their grief, it becomes apparent that Toyah already knew.

When Toyah admits that Nick called her, Leanne’s confused. Nick makes out he called Toyah about the rota and the news just slipped out.

As Toyah leaps to Nick’s defence, Leanne’s suspicious and opening Nick’s laptop, she finds the Tenerife booking and calls the hotel.

ITV

Could a shock laptop find uncover the romance for good?[/caption]

THE man charged with ending the waiting list nightmare for children in need of spinal surgery has told how public anger has “blown away” the resource shortages which created the mess in the first place.

CHI spinal lead Dr David Moore today opens up on the problems that led to the lengthy wait lists, how CHI is trying to rebuild public confidence and the toll this has taken on healthcare workers.

Paul Sharp - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin

Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Brian Lawless/PA Wire

In an interview with the Irish Sun, he said: “I think the system was under resourced.

“There is no doubt absolutely there was a need for somebody to throw all the toys around the place and say this is not good enough.

“I think we’re getting there. I certainly wouldn’t be happy to say we’ve done the job. We haven’t. We’re doing the job. We’re not there yet.

“I think that we will get there but there will always be waiting lists.”

Children waiting too long for spinal surgeries for conditions such as scoliosis and spina bifida has scarred the health service for years.

In 2017, then Health Minister Simon Harris vowed that no child would wait longer than four months for an operation, but this failed to happen.

In 2022, health bosses again made this commitment to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly who allocated €19m – but this plan also failed, according to the Minister.

In response, a new dedicated spinal unit was set up, with orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Moore asked to lead the team and get on top of the waiting list issue.

Sitting in Crumlin Hospital, Dr Moore tells the Irish Sun that a lack of resources led to these long delays for children.

He said: “Historically we didn’t have the resources to deal with the demand.

“The demand got greater because of the population increase, patients expectations, technology – we have the ability to do more now.

“Our non-orthopaedic colleagues have become really very good at making very, very sick and unwell kids fit for surgery so that’s a cohort of patients that maybe in the past wouldn’t have been able to have surgery.

“That kind of speaks to just how complex some of them are.

“Covid made things worse. It didn’t cause the problem but it made it much worse because we weren’t able to do as much surgery – like all the other disciplines.

“That was ultimately the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

These delays came not just from surgical capacity but also in the services needed to get a child ready for an operation such as an MRI under general anaesthetic, breathing tests and the ICU beds needed after the surgery.

However, following public outcry and political pressure Dr Moore says that lack of resources has been “blown away” as the Government gives his team funding for almost anything they ask for.

On the day of our interview, Dr Moore had just received the green light from the Minister for funding for 29 more nurses, five more consultants and a new scoliosis spine register – a tool to help gather information about surgeries that will cost €380,000 a year alone.

‘BIG CHANGE’

He added: “When I started here there were three orthopaedic surgeons. We’re now at nine and by the middle of next year we’ll have 12 here plus there will be at that stage seven if not eight in Temple Street.

“So when we move to the new hospital next year hopefully we will have in the low 20s – that is a big change from six 15 years ago and that is where historically our waiting lists came from.”

The latest CHI update shows that there is a total of 259 children waiting for surgery with this number falling slightly for the last three months in a row.

Figures from the Department of Health this week show there are 107 kids on the “active wait list” – meaning they are ready for surgery but have not been given a date.

PROJECTIONS PRESSURE

Both the Minister and Taoiseach have put out projected figures that this “active wait” list will fall to 87 by Christmas and the number of kids waiting longer than four months will drop to 20.

Dr Moore admits that his team are “pressurised to give them projections” and says “if we don’t meet them it won’t be for the want of trying”.

However, the lead surgeon warns that a difficult winter season for our hospitals could see all these projections go “out the window”.

He said: “That is where the projections go out the window if that happens.

“There is lots of people now you will see with sniffles and coughs and some people get more than that.

“Kids get very sick. They come in and might need ICU and therefore some of our more complicated patients might get cancelled because we don’t have an ICU bed for them.

“That is a definite possibility.”

As part of the drive to get on top of the waiting list, capacity has been acquired from other hospitals in Blackrock, the Mater and Cappagh while 20 children are also being sent overseas for operations in New York and London.

‘GETTING MUCH BETTER’

However, Dr Moore believes that overseas capacity may not be needed as soon as next year when he feels the Irish system will be better able to cope.

He said: “I don’t think we will have 20 kids going abroad next year.

“I think we will be on top of it. I think we’re getting much better at the numbers we’re doing.”

Minister Donnelly has been focused on what he calls the “long waiters” – the number of children waiting longer than four months for surgery.

Dr Moore does not agree with the four month target which he labels “a stick the HSE gave themselves to be beaten with”.

He explains that every child is different so the four month target may not apply.

He said: “What we want is that we are able to operate on kids in a clinically appropriate time frame – that’s all we want.”

Dr Moore makes a point in our interview of highlighting the needs of children with non-spinal orthopaedic conditions.

This is children with conditions like hip dysplasia or crooked feet or even broken bones which all need orthopaedic care.

“Our non-orthopaedic colleagues have become really very good at making very, very sick and unwell kids fit for surgery so that’s a cohort of patients that maybe in the past wouldn’t have been able to have surgery.”

Dr David Moore

Families waiting for these non-spinal ortho surgeries have previously told the Irish Sun that they feel “forgotten” – something Dr Moore wants to address.

He said: “I hope they don’t feel they are being forgotten because they are not.

“That is what most of us do. I operate on hip dysplasia. I lengthen legs. We all have lots of strings to our bow.

“They are not forgotten. They are just not getting the media prominence.”

SERIES OF SCANDALS

A series of issues have rocked the public confidence in Children’s Health Ireland over recent years including issues relating to unauthorised springs used in surgeries.

There are currently two separate reviews underway into the paediatric orthopaedic care – one by HIQA and one by a UK expert.

The Minister also ordered an audit of €19m that CHI was supposed to end the spinal waiting list issue.

On the €19m, Dr Moore said: “I had no hand, act, or part in the €19 million but my understanding is that every single penny was used in CHI.

FUNDING DIRECTION

“I think there were insinuations that it was mismanagement – it wasn’t in the slightest. I think maybe it just wasn’t all put into spine.

“But for instance one of the things, we now have ringfenced spine beds. There was a time when we didn’t.

“So we might have someone due to come in and then an emergency comes in through the emergency department and our bed gets filled and spine gets cancelled.

“So one of the things they did was build a medical assessment unit – the Starling unit – and that was where some of the funds went.”

‘VALID CONCERNS’

Dr Moore admits that they had a communication problem with parents that he says they are working to address with a new dedicated comms person.

Some advocacy groups believe a public inquiry into the failing of CHI for children waiting for spinal surgery should be held – something Dr Moore believes may not be necessary but says “I think people’s valid concerns need to be addressed and answered”.

Asked if CHI needs to rebuild the public’s confidence, Dr Moore said: “There has been a number of things in CHI over the past year and a half to two years that if I was a parent I would be suspicious.

“I’d be saying, ‘Wow what are those people doing.’ I think we’re working towards restoring confidence.

‘DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD’

“We haven’t restored it but we’re working towards it.”

Dr Moore points to the many negative stories about spinal service that have been in the media over the past year and says it has had an impact on staff who he says are working as hard as they can.

However, he adds: “By the way, perversely I think it’s great. Look at the resources we’ve got now.

“We now have the ability to do our jobs better. It is a double-edged sword from our point of view, so thank you in some respects.”

RUBY Miligan faces heartbreak in Emmerdale as her estranged father Anthony unexpectedly arrives in the village, bringing devastating news.

New characters are set to shake things up in Emmerdale as Ruby Fox-Milligan’s (Beth Cordingly) estranged family arrives following her mother’s death.

ITV

The Dales will be rocked by the new arrivals[/caption]

ITV

Anthony has devastating news to share with his nearest and dearest[/caption]

ITV

Steph made her debut last week[/caption]

Her father, Anthony (Nicholas Day), will join her daughter, Steph (Georgia Jay), in the village, promising drama and explosive reunions.

Next week, news about Anthony’s health will send shockwaves through the family.

Upcoming scenes on the ITV soap will see Ruby beg Steph for another chance.

But when Anthony returns, he stuns Steph with the news that he has cancer.

Saddened by Anthony’s diagnosis, Steph pledges her support, hoping it might help mend the strained relationship between him and Ruby.

However, some viewers convinced that Ruby may not be Stephanie’s real mother after all.

They are suggesting that village icon Kim Tate (Claire King) could actually be Stephanie’s biological mum.

One viewer wrote: “I’m saying it now Kim Tate is her real mother!’

Another added: “They do look very similar! And same ruthless behaviour too, you might be onto something!”

A third penned: “I would love this. Anything is possible!”

Fans may recognise 77-year-old actor Nicholas Day from his roles in Minder and The Crown, as well as his narration in Netflix’s Myths and Monsters.

He also appeared in series one of BBC drama New Tricks as Deputy Assistant Commissioner Donald Bevan.

Talking about joining the soap, Nicholas said: “I’ve been made so welcome in the Emmerdale family.

“And my screen family is great to work with, the scenes just fly. No kidding – I feel blessed.”

Meanwhile, Georgia shared: “I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. The cast and crew have all been so welcoming and I’m very excited to see what lies ahead for Steph, given her intriguing backstory.

“I can’t say too much about it, but it is an exciting storyline to be coming into, the past will be revealed of why she hasn’t been in the picture for so long.

“I can say when she sees dad and mum for the first time, she’s not there to stay – it’s more ‘I want something then I’m going to leave’.

“She wants nothing to do with [it], and just wants to get the money and go.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.

ITV

Could Kim Tate be Steph’s real mum?[/caption]

A COUPLE who opened a cafe in a rural Cork town during a hospitality crisis had their water cut off over an old bill.

Nigel Scouler and Marcella Buckley ploughed €80,000 into transforming the West End Cafe in Millstreet into a modern diner for locals, who recently lost their only hotel.

PROVISION - THE SUN DUBLIN

PROVISION - THE SUN DUBLIN

PROVISION - THE SUN DUBLIN

They pair were up and running in June but were shocked to learn from a representative of Irish Water on October 4 they had an outstanding water bill from before they had taken their lease.

And despite pleading with the utility not to shut off the water as it would damage their equipment — and receiving assurances that they would not — Irish Water promptly shut off their supply.

Nigel told The Irish Sun: “We told him we had only taken the lease on the premises since June 1.

“We were shocked to hear about the bill as we had received no communication whatsoever from Irish Water and we certainly had not received a bill from them.

“We told the representative that we had no problem paying any money due from June 1.”

The couple, who are both in their 50s, contacted their landlord Gerry O’Leary who explained the premises were let from June 1 and opened for business on June 10.

Nigel said: “We were really upset and worried. We explained to the man that Irish Water should not turn off the water as it would damage the oven and coffee machine which have a combined value of around €30,000 and both operate on water.

“To be honest, we were relieved when he explained and guaranteed that there was no way Irish Water would turn off the water supply.

“He actually stressed it was company policy not to turn off water and that this was actually written in the company policy.

“He stressed we would receive adequate warning if that was to happen, adding that it was only as a last resort the company shut off water supplies.”

The weeks passed and still no water bill was received by the new cafe owners.

Nigel explained: “I was visiting my mum in Athlone on November 5 and I received a call from a staff member who said there was no water in the cafe. I thought there must be something wrong with the plumbing and contacted the landlord.

“A plumber checked everything and could find nothing wrong, but then we discovered that Irish Water had cut off our supply.

NO NOTICE

“No one from the company called into the cafe to tell us this was happening and to add insult to injury we found a note from them stuck to the manhole cover over the valves controlling the flow of water into the cafe.

“It said, ‘Sorry we missed you’, but the cafe was open so there was no reason they could have missed us. We were absolutely devastated and shocked.

“We contacted customer service and received no help there. They were so unprofessional that the woman speaking to us started laughing at us.

“We asked how we could pay for the water, when a month after we told Irish Water to send a bill and we would pay it immediately, we were still waiting for it.

BUSINESS SHUT

“We were fortunate with the assistance of our landlord, and managed to get the water supply back on without Irish Water that evening.

“But we had to close our business as we couldn’t operate without water that day and lost a booking for 12 as a result along with not being able to service customers.”

On November 8, the pair finally got a bill via email from Irish Water which they paid within two hours of receiving it.

And now they have been told Irish Water want €500 from them for restoring the water supply to the cafe.

UTILITY HELL

But Nigel said since the water was cut off, Irish Water has not been in contact with them to tell them they were putting the water back on, even though it would appear they still do not know that it has been reconnected.

On the advice of the firm who supplied the coffee machine in the cafe Nigel had water samples from their supply tested. The results revealed the quality of the water is exceptionally bad.

Nigel added: “We had to put in special filters in the coffee machine because of the poor water quality which are very expensive and have to be changed regularly.”

Cllr John Paul O’Shea, candidate for Fine Gael in Cork North West, said he was not surprised by the actions of Irish Water as he has over 40 complaints from business customers and farmers about the utility company.

“We contacted customer service and received no help there. They were so unprofessional that the woman speaking to us started laughing at us.”

Nigel ScoulerThe West End Cafe owner

He said: “While there are many complaints this is the first time I have heard of them shutting water off to any business. Irish Water lacks the ability to communicate with their customers and it seems only after public representatives intervene they take some action.

“I’ve seen people with astronomical bills who know they couldn’t have used the amount of water to justify these, but the company fails to engage and to listen to them.

“People are coming to us when they have lost hope, hit a black wall of non-communication with the firm and are in a state of despair and desperation.

“Irish Water has been operating for 10 years now — you would imagine they would have managed to learn how to respond to such calls and how to contact worried customers either with a phone call or an email.”

APOLOGY ISSUED

When contacted by The Irish Sun, Irish Water refused to address the issue raised.

Instead, they used a generic statement about working with any customers who are experiencing difficulties paying bills, before going mentioning payment plans.

On the poor quality water, they added: “We can confirm there is no issue in the Millstreet water supply where the drinking water being supplied meets all water quality standards.”

After The Irish Sun contacted Irish Water, an assistant to company boss Neill Gleeson contacted the couple to apologise and admit being in the wrong.

They are now looking into compensating for the machine damage which had to be repaired.

PROVISION - THE SUN DUBLIN