A tornado that struck Co Tipperary in the early hours of yesterday caused no injuries but damaged at least three houses, destroyed two cars and left a newly married couple temporarily homeless. A number of trees were also damaged.
The freak storm occurred between the villages of Glengoole (New Birmingham) and Ballysloe, creating what Met Éireann spokesman Hugh Daly said appeared to be a "minor tornado". The State's leading tornado expert, Dr John Tyrrell of UCC's department of geography, is expected to visit the area today to begin an investigation.
The eye of the storm hit the townland of Mellison at 2.11am. Gardaí from Thurles were called to the scene and arrived within minutes.
Jason O'Gorman and his wife Thérèse woke to a "loud crashing noise which lasted 10 to 15 seconds".
The roof was blown off their house and the wind had "forced in the window of a front room" where their nine-year-old daughter Naomi and her cousin Megan (10) were sleeping.
Mr O'Gorman said the strength of the wind had "moved furniture and trapped the children" and he had to "kick the door down to rescue them". The family dog, Snoopy, whose kennel was thrown about the yard, had a lucky escape as he was sleeping in a garage.
The O'Gormans had just moved into the house after marrying five weeks ago and were carrying out renovations. Last night they were forced to move to the home of nearby in-laws whose house was less extensively damaged. They said both their cars were "complete write-offs".
Neil O'Donohoe, originally from Sandymount, Dublin, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said he had "never seen anything like it".
He described the sound as resembling "an explosion" and pointed out the damage caused by a 37ft ladder that was blown on to the roof of his house.
In the village of Ballysloe, Susan Treacy said she heard a sound like that of an articulated truck spreading through the village, causing the windows to rattle.
Residents and neighbours, some of whom had worked throughout the night, spent yesterday cleaning up the storm damage and putting a temporary cover on the roof of the O'Gormans' house. Roof tiles were found hundreds of yards from the scene. A trampoline was discovered 50m from its moorings.
Assessors from insurance companies are expected to arrive in the area this morning.