ESB crews restoring power in southwest

All homes that have been without power following the Christmas storms have been told their electricity will be restored by the end of today.

ESB emergency repair crews worked throughout the day to restore power to 500 homes in the southwest of the country who were without power due to the storm damage of last Thursday night.

As of this morning, around 800 homes and businesses were still without power.

ESB crews restored supply to around 10,000 customers on Friday alone as more than 500 faults on power lines were repaired.

The final repairs, which resumed early this morning, bring to an end three days of working in what the company described as “very difficult conditions”. Crews had travelled from areas less affected to assist in the south and south west where the majority of the faults occurred. Customers in Bandon, Killarney, Galway, Ennis, Newcastlewest and Tralee have been assured their power will be restored by tonight.

The adverse weather rendered dozens of roads impassable due to fallen trees and surface water.

Road conditions were extremely icy this morning in many parts of the country but particularly in the West of the country stretching from Co. Kerry through to Co. Donegal.

Irish Ferries also cancelled a number of their fast ferry services today.