High winds wreak havoc on Irish power supply

Thousands of homes around Ireland were left without electricity because of damge caused by severe winds over the past 24 hours…

Thousands of homes around Ireland were left without electricity because of damge caused by severe winds over the past 24 hours.

ESB crews have finished restoring electricity to homes in the West that were hit by today’s storms.

Hundreds of homes in Cos Leitrim and Mayo were affected today, while up to ten thousand homes Co Galway were left without power after severe gales last night.

Around 5,000 homes in Northern Ireland are still without electricity as gusts of up to 65mph damaged the network, with north eastern areas worst effected by the power cuts.

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A Northern Ireland Electricity spokesman said extra engineers were called in urgent efforts to restore power in Coleraine, Co Derry and Ballymena, Co Antrim.

"NIE estimates that the restoration work will continue throughout the afternoon and evening to reach all isolated faults and complete final repairs," he said.

Isolated faults were also reported in Co Down.

Although winds are expected to ease later tonight, further stormy weather has been forecast for the next few days.