Guinness supply water to Dublin public

Drought-hit Dubliners were turning to Guinness tonight as water taps ran dry in homes across the Irish capital.

The famous brewer is using its gargantuan tankers to get much-needed supplies to thousands of people hit by a water shortage crisis caused by burst mains during the big freeze.

Queues of people lining up with jugs, pots and pans at the lorries – which usually carry 30,000 litres of the black stuff – have drawn double takes from the city’s thirsty residents.

Dublin City Council worker Michael Walsh, manning one Guinness truck at Kilmore Estate, in Santry, said many turned up thinking there was free stout on tap.

“We’re looking after thousands here,” he said. “Everybody is thinking we’re giving away free Guinness but they’re happy with water.

“It’s more valuable than gold at the minute.”

In the queue, mother-of-two Ann-Marie Gubbins, 32, insisted she deserved a pint of something stronger after the strain of going days without water to drink, wash or cook with.

“I’m worn out from getting water,” she said.

“There’s no-one even to give us an idea of a day when it’s going to come back, we’re hearing four to eight weeks. They can’t leave us that long without it, it’s not right.

“I wouldn’t mind if they filled up my tanks with Guinness, I could do with it today.”

Guinness, the largest user of public water supplies in Dublin, said it immediately offered to help the city council when levels became critically low, during the past week.

People running taps to prevent pipes freezing and burst mains across the network have drained reservoirs to such an extent that authorities predict it will take months before supplies return to normal.

The Guinness tankers are drawing water from the brewery’s vast reserves and transporting it to areas cut off by the shortage.

They are also refilling tanks at other large companies like Cadbury’s, which was fast running out.

Food manufacturer Batchelors said 40 jobs at its plant in north Dublin were under threat because a lack of supplies needed to can peas, beans and fruit juices.

Colin O’Brien, operations manager of St James’s Gate Guinness brewery, said the company’s minimum water usage programme allowed it to provide water and tankers to where it is needed without disrupting production.

“Guinness has a very positive and long-standing relationship with Dublin City Council and it is our responsibility to assist our city partners how and where we can during these difficult times,” he added.

Around one billion pints are brewed at St James’s Gate every year.