TIPPERARY — Independent TD Mattie McGrath has condemned Electric Ireland after a recently widowed pensioner in his 80s received what he describes as an "aggressive and intimidating" arrears letter threatening disconnection — despite owing only €16, an amount since fully cleared.
The Case
The elderly man, a constituent of Deputy McGrath, lost his wife last year and has been struggling under the weight of funeral costs and rising living expenses. His electricity payments fell into approximately €800 in arrears.
His daughter, who is his full-time carer, contacted Electric Ireland and agreed a €75 per week payment plan. The pensioner, anxious to clear the debt, was actually paying €80 per week.
The Letter
On 9 July 2026, Electric Ireland issued a letter that Deputy McGrath described as "deeply distressing, wholly disproportionate, and utterly devoid of compassion." The tone was "aggressive, intimidating and completely unacceptable for a state-owned utility dealing with a vulnerable elderly customer," he said.
The letter warned of possible cancellation of the payment plan and implied disconnection — causing significant fear and upset to the man, who believed he might lose his gas supply.
McGrath's Reaction
"Beyond disgraceful that an elderly man, a vulnerable person was treated like this," Deputy McGrath said. "It is indicative of a culture that has been allowed to take root in the country which is indifferent to the burdens and distresses being placed on ordinary people."
He added: "What has the country come to when we have the government parading around telling everyone we've never had it so good, while a man in his 80s is being treated aggressively by a state-owned utility?"
The Profits Context
Electric Ireland's parent company, the ESB Group, reported an after-tax profit of €636 million for the 2025 financial year. Meanwhile, Electric Ireland increased residential electricity prices by 8% and gas prices by 7.7% on 1 July 2026 — adding approximately €138 to the average annual electricity bill and €117 to the average gas bill.
Next Steps
Deputy McGrath said he will raise the matter directly with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Alan Dillon, demanding that protections for vulnerable customers be enforced.
"These huge companies must stick to the protections designed to safeguard vulnerable customers," he said. "They are making millions in profit every year while Irish people are struggling and paying through the nose."