Storm Henry brings wind speeds of up to 130km/h

Western counties face another battering from high winds on Monday as Met Éireann warned Storm Henry would bring gusts as high as 130km/h.

Several hundred homes are without power with the largest fault in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny where about 250 homes and businesses are without power.

In Derrybeg, Co Donegal, 157 properties are without power. It is understood that an earlier fault in Derrybeg has been fixed.

In Bray, Co Wicklow more than 100 houses are without power. Faults have also been reported in the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of north Dublin.

Earlier, there were faults reported in Mohill, Co Leitrim and in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, but power has been restored to these areas.

The meteorological service issued a status orange wind warning for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

South west to west winds will reach mean speeds between 65km/h and 80km/h with gusts between 110km/h and 130km/h, peaking this afternoon, the service said.

A lesser status yellow warning has been issued for Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford where mean speeds of between 45km/h and 65km/h are expected with gusts up to 110km/h.

Both warnings were originally due to expire at midnight but have since been extended to 4am on Tuesday.

Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow weather advisory for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry regarding “exceptional wave heights” of between 12 and 15 metres along Atlantic coasts.

The storm, named Henry under the new storm naming system devised by Met Éireann and the UK Met Office, will peak this evening and winds will be at their strongest along the coasts.

A status yellow marine warning was also issued at noon on Sunday as southwest winds were forecast to increase to gale force on Sunday night on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.

Clare County Council has warned members of the public to stay clear of exposed coastal locations while the winds are at their worst on Monday.

The Harry Blaney Bridge over Mulroy Bay in Donegal has been closed due to high winds.

The Road Safety Authority has advised all road users to exercise extreme caution and to "expect the unexpected" amid the blustery conditions.

Motorists are reminded that control of their vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds, with high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists particularly vulnerable, and they should be watchful of debris being blown onto the road.

Dipped headlights should be used at all times, and cyclists are urged to be wary of strong gusts which could blow them into the path of oncoming traffic.